Rethinking Colorblindness- All Lives Matter

“COLORBLINDNESS IS THE NEW RACISM”

Raising Awareness About Privilege Using Color Insight

Authors: Margalynne J. Armstrong and Stephanie M. Wildman

Assignment A

Talking Points

            “White people define a societal norm and that people of color are “other” often considered inferior or dangerous”

I think this idea is important because it encourages us to recognize how historical and cultural norms can influence the way people are perceived and treated, while also reminding us that individuals should be evaluated based on their character and actions rather than assumptions or stereotypes.

“Until educators teach about the importance of analyzing how privilege operates, students will graduate ill-equipped to work effectively in a diverse environment”. This statement made me think about the role schools should play in teaching students about privilege and diversity. I believe values, morals, and respect for others are primarily learned at home, where families can share their own beliefs and experiences. At the same time, schools have a responsibility to prepare students to work and live in a diverse society by teaching empathy, critical thinking, and respect for people from different backgrounds.

“Both whites and people of color need to recognize their own and another’s individual privileges". I like the idea of using a power line exercise as a tool for identifying and discussing privilege and subordination in the classroom. I never heard of that tool before and wonder what grade level it would be most effective. 

 

Argument Statement

            Armstrong and Wildman argue that adopting a "color-blind" approach to race does not eliminate racism or create true equality. Instead, they believe that when society ignores race altogether, it becomes more difficult to recognize the social, economic, and institutional inequalities that continue to affect many people. According to the authors, acknowledging racial differences and the impact of historical and systemic discrimination is necessary to understand why disparities still exist. 

Why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Mattered- and Why It Moved So Many Hispanics to Tears

Author- Jose Gomez

Talking Points

 Spanish wasn’t the feature- It was the foundation

    I honestly was waiting for him to start singing in English. Once the half time show was over I was really surprised. It was eye opening for me and reminded me of when I traveled to Spain with my son. I thought my years of high school Spanish would get me by and boy was I wrong. Thankfully, my son is bilingual and could speak for me but honestly it wasn’t a good feeling because I love to talk. My experience with that language barrier helped me better understand the mixed reactions to Bad Bunny's halftime performance. There have been times when I couldn't fully understand what was being said because of the language being used, and it made me feel disconnected from the conversation. I imagine some viewers felt a similar way while watching Bad Bunny perform in Spanish. Instead of focusing on the music, energy, and cultural representation, some people focused on the fact that they couldn't understand the lyrics. That experience reminded me that not understanding a language can create distance, but it can also be an opportunity to appreciate and learn about another culture. It showed me that language differences don't have to divide people if we approach them with curiosity and respect.

The electric poles: power, neglect, and survival

I honestly didn’t understand the significance of the utility poles until I read this article.  The poles reminded viewers that resilience is not an abstract virtue,it is something people are forced to practice when systems meant to protect them fail. 

Redefining America

Showing all flags together showed how Latino identity is not foreign to the American story,it is part of it. It reminded viewers that the United States itself has been shaped by generations of people from across the hemisphere, whose, traditions, and cultures have become part of the country's fabric.

Argument Statement

The author Gomez argues that Bad Bunny's halftime performance was never intended to be simply entertainment. It was a cultural statement asserting that Hispanic and Latino identities deserve to occupy America's biggest stage without being translated, minimized, or made more comfortable for a mainstream audience.