A lesson in civil rights




The Feb. 26 article “Civil rights movement: then and now” created an opportunity to reflect on the strides we’ve made in civil liberties and the work we must continue to pursue.

The article referenced the progress we have made toward achieving a “color-blind society.”

While the creation and implementation of our nation’s laws should be founded in equity, not discriminating based on a person’s race, ethnicity or culture, perhaps “color blind” is not the right word.

Living in a diverse society as we do, we must acknowledge color and culture to truly embrace each individual’s unique experience. By overlooking a person’s color and culture we are potentially disregarding the life story of that person; the rich traditions, the family history, the possible struggles of living in a nation where prejudicial thinking and actions continue to be a part of our communities.

In a color-blind society we run the risk of discounting a very real aspect of a person’s existence that we ourselves may never experience because our race, ethnicity or culture differs.

I believe the intention of a color-blind society is rooted in the concept that everyone deserves to be treated with equity. Agreed. But perhaps we move from this ideal and into an ideology that is grounded in multiculturalism— not being blind but truly seeing one another, recognizing, valuing and celebrating our differences— where equity and inclusion naturally reside.

Christa Clippinger
Thousand Oaks



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