Understanding Words

Well, it happened that I had an understanding soul in my on-line course who addressed the "colored" issue, prior to my final online commentary. Even though she was not African-American, she understood the offense well enough to convey it to the other student. It felt good to know that others can defend people of color without being a person of color.

Eventually, I took the time to explain to the unintentionally offensive writer that the term was no longer acceptable and offered to help act as a sounding board for any future questions about African-Americans (in general).

While the term colored was indeed hurtful, it is up to each of us to understand the perspective of others who may not have had ANY contact with diverse people. How are they expected to know the changing tides of cultural sentiments if we do not share our true thoughts about controversial thoughts and words?

TRUE UNDERSTANDING BEGINS WITH
UNFILTERED AND HONEST DISCUSSIONS.

Colored is for Crayons

When I think of the word colored, I think of the small box of Crayola crayons with the pointy sticks peeking out of the box at me. As a child, I enjoyed drawing images, using as many of the colored sticks as possible. Even though the boxes included only such basic shades as black, white and brown, I loved using them to share images from my world.

Now that I am an adult, I look back on that small box of Crayola crayons and smile. While I still enjoy using them, now I have the JUMBO box of crayons with every color imaginable. I even have colors that actually match the various shades of brown that make up human skin color. In 2011, I am proud to live in a society where our children know that the word colored is for crayons.

It's HARD to believe...

Hello 2011. I am a 44-year old African-American teacher and I find it unreal that people are still referring to ANYONE as "colored". I am taking an on-line diversity course and one of the course participants intends to study "colored students from a lower-socioeconomic status". REALLY. Even worse than that offense, the facilitator's comment was...."Good Choice"!

WOW!

When I checked the U.S. Census last year, there was no ethnic category entitled "colored". Ummm....the more things change, the more things stay the same...KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE (respect) PRIZE PEOPLE. (The above posting was written while I was still a little pissed off.)

After a good night's sleep, I added...

The term colored is offensive to many non-White people. It is an out-dated derogatory term for people of color. Colored is the term that was posted on the outside of restaurants and other public facilities in the segregated Jim Crow south (U.S.) . Use of the term is a futile attempt to relegate people of color to an artificially subservient role in society. While the term "colored" may be offensive to many African-Americans, I have come to realize that it is MORE reflective of the people who choose to use and condone the use of such an offensive word to describe members of a diverse population of PEOPLE. It means that they are retarded in their understanding of cultural changes that have occurred in America, over the last 40+ years. Use of the term "colored" shows that many more courses in diversity/tolerance/inclusiveness are STILL a much needed commodity in 21st century America.

A Conference Presentation?

As my comfort level with the issue of diversity grew, I began to discuss my research and upcoming report with others in my EE certification class. Well, one of my new acquaintances is the new CEO of the environmental organization responsible for certifying environmental educators in Georgia.

After a brief chat about the issue of diversity, I had hopes of submitting an article to the organization's monthly enviro-newsletter. Instead, I was asked to submit a presentation for an upcoming conference. Well, what was I suppose to say..."NO, I don't have enough experience or information to do a good job addressing diversity?" Not! Instead, I sped up my research and submitted a conference presentation outline.

My presentation outline was accepted and is on track for the March 11, 2011 conference. Now all I have to do is continue with my research, prepare the presentation and PRAY :)

Learning about Diversity

Before I could offer ANY advice on the issue of diversity in environmental organizations, I had to research the issue for myself. I had about six months to learn as much as I could about diversity, so that I could advise others about implementing a plan to address it.

I attended meetings with others on the task force and visited Elachee Nature Center to gain insight into its organizational structure. I contacted other chapters of the birding organization to see what they were doing in the area of diversity. What I learned was that this issue was one of great importance to the survival of the environmental movement, yet one that was not being adequately addressed within such organizations.

Human Diversity: My Beginning

Simply being a part of a cultural minority does not make one an expert on diversity.
Cynthia Bohannon-Brown

As an African-American, female environmental educator, I am embarking on a journey that could quite possibly change the direction of my life.

Late last year, I joined the task force of a prominent birding organization in Georgia. This group of members was charged with identifying the direction of the organization for the next 20 years! Wow, what an exciting challenge and an honor to be part of such a ground-breaking initiative.

Initially, I assumed that I would work on issues involving education. However that thought was soon squashed. Instead, I was encouraged to address diversity. I thought to myself "What in the world do I know about diversity? Was I chosen for this assignment because I am Black and the only minority member of the task force?" I was a little disappointed because I really wanted something more challenging :) !!