1) Among the circle of professionals who advise you (accountant, lawyer, doctor, dentist, financial advisor, surgeon), are women and minorities fairly represented?
If the answer is yes, give yourself 10 points.
Answer: Colorblind people would not do business solely with individuals who look like them. They travel in wide circles and develop contacts in many ethnic and cultural communities. As they don't see color, they would have a diversity of talent advising them as well as working with them. If you have minorities working for you, but none advising you, you might do a cultural audit.
2.Have you dated men or women from a variety of racial and ethnic groups?
If the answer is yes, give yourself 20 points. Answer:If you truly are colorblind, then skin color doesn't matter. Chances are, you have met someone from a different ethnic or racial cultural group who has interested you. If you did not act upon the attraction, what held you back?
3. Do you champion causes of other cultural groups when they have merit? Do you engage in these actions on a regular basis?
If you answered yes to both questions, give yourself 10 points. Answer: If skin color does not matter, it is reasonable to assume we would champion the causes of groups of people who don't look like us. We would see them as one of us, not as someone who is as good as us. This is an important distinction.
4. When you dream at night, do people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds appear as friends, neighbors or passersby? (After I began my work with inclusion, I noticed that more Asian Americans and Hispanics started showing up in my dreams at night. My world of sleep is just as diverse as the one I live in)
If the answer is yes, give yourself 20 points.
.5. When you talk about friends or colleagues with others, do you tend to label them: My black friend;, my Jewish colleague, my gay neighbor. (If color and religion doesn't matter, why mention it?)
If the answer is no, give yourself 10 points.
6. Do you often go to the movies to see foreign language films, African American films, and films about Hispanic culture? Do you listen to music from around the world?
If you answered yes, give yourself 20 points.
7. You are in trouble and need immediate help. Two strangers walk by. Are you inclined to approach the person who looks most like you or the one who is totally different?
Answer: I would ask both of them for help. If that was your answer, award yourself 10 points. Good for you. This was a trick question. Our cultural journey offers many ambigious choices.
SCORING:
80 to 100 points: Exceptional: You are most likely culturally self-aware and skilled at cross-cultural relationships.
50 to 80 points: Good: You are on the right track but the journey continues. You may wish to take the time to perform a cultural audit and explore your subconscious racial and ethnic preferences.
30 to 50 points: Not Yet Ready for the Global Village: Widen your circle so you can expand your horizons. Take more risks. Venture outside your comfort zone.
0 to 30 points: Back to School: Sign up for a class at the nearest university or community college. The class work will be interesting and the interactions with diverse peoples will help increase your Cultural IQ.
BONUS QUESTION: You are living on a block of high-priced homes in a predominantly white area. Within six weeks, three families - Asian American, Latino, and African American -buy homes and move on your block. Do you:
1) Call the Realtor to ask how much you can get for your home.
2) Welcome the new neighbors by taking them house plants.
3) Gather longtime neighbors at your house to develop a strategy for "protecting" the neighborhood.
The Bonus question kind of singles out "white" people unless it is some sort of trick question to get white folks to say it singles them out. The questions are BS anyways but the bomus question destroys the sincerity. Also, and what do cultures have to do with color?
Posted by: Eric | April 11, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I find that often our words are not aligned with our actions. We think we are colorblind but that is only because we don't have any performance measures.
A doctor might be good doctor but you can't really tell unless you assess performance and compare the results with peers.
The bonus question was added to make this point: The vast majority of people - minorities included - would react to this situation in a discriminating manner.
While they would not blink an eye if three white families moved in they would feel a need to leave if the families belonged to a minority group,
If a person is colorblind then she or he does not engage in these subtle acts of racial discrimination.
As to your second question most discriminatory acts are based upon an ethnic or racial group's cultural customs, beliefs or values not upon skin color: for instance, language, clothing, body size or hair.
If you don't like the behaviors associated with a particular culture, then you have a prejudice or bias. Is it possible to be colorblind if you are biased?
Posted by: The Cultural Coach | April 12, 2008 at 08:59 AM
MS Wallace,
That quiz may work for you, whose life situation allows you a lot of yesses, but not so well for others, I believe.
1) Professionals. There aren't that many to choose from. I have met one black attorney. Met him in IHOP when he commented on my Mudhens Tshirt. Turns out he was from Toledo too, had just got his law degree and was going back home to hang up his shingle. Further discovered he attended the same high school my 2 younger brothers went to. Coincidentally he was the 2nd black I had spoken to that day. The first one had pointed a 22 cal. blue steel automatic at my nose when I asked him to move his new Cadillac out of my reserved handicapped parking place in Forum Park.
I've met 2 Black doctors and one Hispanic. The first Black I stopped seeing because his nurse had an attitude. The second Black I went to after first seeing a big poobah in Methodist's GI department, a Turk with a wall full of plaques and awards. He hospitalized me for 10 days, then discharged me with the same symptoms I came in with, only 10 thousand dollars lighter. I was then referred to that Black doctor, Dr Bell, at Memorial SW. In one session he cured my abdominal bloating made me look 7 months pregnant. "It's all interstitial water," he said , draining what looked like a 2-liter bottle of Dr.Pepper. "Tell your dialysis clinic to drop your dry weight by 3 kilos." Problem solved. "And for your diarrhea, take a week of Flagyl," and that cured a problem I'd had since I went on chemo ten years ago. I'd recommend him to anyone.
The Hispanic was a GP my nephrologist recommended 10 years ago. "But be sure he has all your records before you see him." They assured me they did. I had them refill a prescription and again they said they had my records. When I finally went to see him he hadn't seen my records and didn't know me from Adam.
So I went to a woman GP in Bellaire. First thing she discontinued all my high .blood pressure medicines, to see if I reall needed them. This outraged my kidney doctor who had put me on blood pressure meds in the first place to save my kidneys, and whom she did not consult before countermanding his orders. She also ordered oral Lamisel for a toenail. Later I mentioned it to my immunonogist, who pointed out that oral Lamisel is never given to kidney patients, as it will reduce the functioning uf weak kidneys. I'm now on dialysis.
Eventually went to a female immunologist with a small practice and free parking. First thing she made me undress and put on a hospital gown. She explained that many of her patients were elderly and had trouble explaining where it hurt,so the gown would facilitate the examination. But since my autoimmune disease had only affected my nose and was just starting on my kidneys, she agreed to see me in my clothes. I once complemented her on a new pair of gaily-decorated cowboy boots. "They belong to a dead man", she glared at me. I didn't ask.
Later a new male nurse asked me to change into a robe. "Does she require this of all her patients?" I ask him. "Only her male patients", he replied.
The nurses I remenber best were the two black nurses up on Dunn who were screaming at each other over whose patient gon' get the only available room. My nurse was the louder and pushier for which I was grateful, as I had a fever of 103.
Had a young female lawyer represent me when a New Orleans car park attendant ran my 58 Porsche Roadster into a brick wall, leaving Porsche chrome and aluminum bumper parts laying at the foot of the wallfloor. "They were there when they parked it," claimed the manager. The attorney looked up and priced the proper parts, but for a later model Porsche Carrara, The judge ruled in our favor, and I was reimbursed well beyond her fee and my damages.
Financial adviser. An old family friend who I trust implicitly. He handles all of my investments. I take out 5K every quarter for taxes and house, car and health insurance. And he keeps it growing.
And surgeons, well, unless you're having a baby, they're assigned to you; you meet them that morning after you're prepped.
I accepted whatever professionals were assigned to me, so I'll take 10 points.
2)I dated Irish, Jewish, Polish, and Black girls before I left Toledo and got married. After my divorce I dated mainly women from my church singles club, but I did date a black from work. My current occasional date is a Peruvian. So I'll take 20 points.
3)Do I champion causes of other groups? Well, If I see that a young Indian or Vietnamese child won a spelling bee I might mention it if I was in the right company. No points there.
4)My dreams usually involve people I've known intimately all my life. No points there.
5)Do I label my friends.I make it a point not to except to make a point: "my sister-in-law refuted him and pinned his ears back with all the hutzpah a New York Jew could muster". Another 10 points
6) Foreign language films African-American films and films about Hispanic culture. Let me see... Ive seen "Hunt for Red October, The Third Man, 24 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop one and 2, and a couple of Cheech and Chong movies. And I listen to music on KLEF and KPFT. Another 20 points.
7)As a youngster back north I once helped a black couple get their car going on their way to Detroit by fixing their generator on the side of the road, and bummed a ride from a black trucker the length of Florida. Then one Mardi Gras, I, my wife and 2 kids were followed from a Mardi Gras parade 5 blocks to our car, by a band of maybe 6 or 8 teenage blacks, who kept telling each other what they were gonna do when they caught us white folks. We kept walking till we reached the car, so they kept walking trying to spook us.
Times have changed. Unless I was armed, I would follow Jesse Jackson's advice and cross the street to avoid the black guy. Guess I don't get any points here.
60 points total
Bonus question: What would I do if 3 different nationalities moved into my block. You left off answer 4. As a member of our civic club, I would introduce myself,welcome them to the neighborhood, and give them each a copy of the deed restrictions.
Posted by: Dick | April 13, 2008 at 05:19 AM
Dear Dick:
Thank you for sharing with us. That took a lot of cultural courage. You get 10 points for that.
My world is filled with capable and able minority professionals I have had two black accountants (one got sick and retired); a Jewish primary care physician; a white female GYN; an Hispanic female and then an Asian male dentist (the Asian dentist took over the practice; and African American eye doctor; and a white male financial advisor (he replaced an African American male who left the company. The African American called me after he left the company and tried to get me to follow him to his new firm. I told him that was unethical and I stuck with the European American and the original company. ) My life coaches come in colors and from many religions (I also have a conservative white male advising me.)
Perhaps I know a lot of diverse talent because I travel in wide circles. I attend meetings and causes of people in all community. That is how I build connections.
So no 10 points for you, my friend. You have to earn them.
Whenever people tell me that they can't find qualified minority professionals, I ask them if it is possible for them to widen the cultural circles they travel in. Please understand that I invite diverse advisors into my life to enrich me -- not to help them. Sometimes, you need to hear the minority viewpoint - even when it is not popular. The mortgage companies that listened to the internal naysayers on subprime mortgages are the very ones that are now doing well. What would have happened if they had ignored the minority opinion instead?
A comment on point four: You dream about the people you know. Your dreams are telling you that people of color do not play an important role in your life. They are giving you information. That is why I put the question on the list.
Posted by: The Cultural Coach | April 13, 2008 at 09:19 AM
I've been pondering the term "colorblind," and I don't have a problem with that term in the context you have used it. However, I would avoid the term "colorblind" because it implies acting as though everyone is exactly like your self, which leads to miscommunication and erroneous expectations.
Not all differences are of equal benefit. If one person is energetic but not good at details and another is slow-paced and detail-focused, each can contribute positively to a team, but a third person who spends all day daydreaming is different in a way that is detrimental to the team. It is wrong to dismiss a difference as being without value only because it is different, but it is also wrong to judge all differences as having value.
Q1) Diverse circle: I’m willing to judge anyone as an individual, but cultural differences can be a hindrance, too. Example: If I consult with someone with a heavy foreign accent, I will observe that consultant carefully at first to ensure that he/she can correctly understand me. If we can’t communicate to my satisfaction, I’m seeking help elsewhere. Another example: If I can meet with two equally-competent doctors, I will prefer the one with better social skills (bed-side manner). Such a preference can weigh against someone foreign-born because social cues are unique to a culture and can be subtle. On the other hand, I would choose a highly competent doctor from anywhere over a doctor of lesser competence no matter how gracious he/she is. I have room for improvement, so 5 points out of 10.
Q2) Cross-cultural dating: For me, dating and marrying (breeding) are two different measures. If I were single again, I would date cross-culturally, but I would not marry a woman of child-bearing age of African descent. Call it cowardice if you must, but I feel that there is still too much cultural stigma associated with mixed-race children, and I don’t feel I have the skills to raise a well-adjusted mixed-race child, particularly an African-European mix. It is a chicken-or-egg-first problem. The more mixed-race children there are, the more they will find acceptance, but I’m not willing to be one of the ones blazing that difficult trail. Zero points, I guess.
Q3) Champion other groups: Yes, but not frequently. 5 points out of 10.
Q4) Dreams: Hard to say. Do blue people with wings count? Seriously, I can’t recall. My dreams are probably not very diverse. Zero points.
Q5) Labeling others: That depends. If I am describing someone for the first time, I might mention things like height, skin color, hair color, and gender to help the listener form a mental picture. I would include other characteristics (religion, gender preference, political leaning) if they were relevant to the conversation, but otherwise would leave such things out. If I mention that person to the listener again later, I would just use his/her name, not “my black friend” or my “Jewish friend.” I think am keeping with the spirit of that question, so 10 points out of 10.
Q6) Films and music: I will watch a foreign language film if I enjoy the genre it is in, but you have to admit that Hollywood sets a very high bar for production quality (though often not a high bar for content). I usually avoid African-American films if think that the purpose of the film is social critique. I’m not interested in seeing caricatures and stereotypes of whites bashed. Other than that, I don’t give any thought to the actor’s race if I like the genre of the film. I like action, so I have seen my share of Sly Stallone films and Wesley Snipes films. Okay, so neither one of them is a great actor, but I like that genre, and I don’t care that Wesley Snipes is black. To be honest, though, I can easily identify who I think is the best Caucasian actor (Mel Gibson), but I’d be hard pressed to identify who I think is the best African-, Hispanic-, or Asian-descent actors. I am also very pleased that Hollywood has long since progressed past the point of thinking that white actors are the only ones qualified to act, even if the character portrayed is non-white. Music: I am willing to listen to new music, but the kinds of music that I will listen too repeatedly tends to be narrow. I had a coworker with an incredibly varied taste in music. Because of him I found out that I like flamenco music, but I just couldn’t get into listening to an entire CD of bag-pipe music. I have room for improvement, so 10 points out of 20.
Q7) Seeking help: Since I am 6’ 3” tall and broad shouldered, my real problem would be getting someone to help me at all. I’m a nice guy, but I have been told repeatedly in a variety of ways that I look intimidating (I’ve been told I look like a linebacker or a professional wrestler). Beyond that, if I was with my family then I would seek help from the one who looked the least dangerous (for example, a little old white lady wins out over a large black man). Yes, that is ironic since I’m sure I would not be someone else’s top pick for the same reason. If I am by myself, then I would seek help from the one who looks the most capable of providing help (the large black man wins out over the little old white lady). I guess I get 5 points for being pragmatic.
SCORING: 35 points. Not ready for the global village!
BONUS QUESTION: I choose another option: I’d treat the new non-white neighbors exactly the same as the other white, wealthy neighbors: I’d ignore them. I guess that I don’t socialize as much as I should. The ogre, Shrek, must be my blood relative.
Posted by: Lance_K | April 16, 2008 at 02:25 PM
MS. Wallace,
I don't believe this is an accurate test of color blindness
1) Among the circle of professionals who advise you (accountant, lawyer, doctor, dentist, financial advisor, surgeon), are women and minorities fairly represented?
Well, last doctor was asian, the one before was latin and one of my two priests is asian ----------so yes 10pts
2.Have you dated men or women from a variety of racial and ethnic groups?
yes ----------and have people decide to break up with me for my religious faith -----------so yes -----------20 pts
3. Do you champion causes of other cultural groups when they have merit? Do you engage in these actions on a regular basis?
Well, no, I only champion causes that I feel strongly about. To do so otherwise JUST BECAUSE IT A DIVERSITY rather than a core belief to me would seem to say that "I do see differences" -------so NO - I don't but belive is not a fair question.
4. When you dream at night, do people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds appear as friends, neighbors or passersby? (After I began my work with inclusion, I noticed that more Asian Americans and Hispanics started showing up in my dreams at night. My world of sleep is just as diverse as the one I live in)
I can't say I really dream about anyone or thing in particular -- other than maybe an old movie, that I watched before going to sleep.
So probably, NO is the answer ---- except if they were in a movie
5. When you talk about friends or colleagues with others, do you tend to label them: My black friend;, my Jewish colleague, my gay neighbor. (If color and religion doesn't matter, why mention it?)
I tend not to describe ethinically or racially, but whether they are little or big (short or tall). Now when a customer can't remember which one of my salesman helped them, I ask them if he was black, white, hispanic or strange (my counter guy from California), people can normally remember the colour.
you score it
6. Do you often go to the movies to see foreign language films, African American films, and films about Hispanic culture? Do you listen to music from around the world?
Enjoy subtiltled films, b&w films, westerns and enjoy Latin and Irish traditional music.
20 pts.
7. You are in trouble and need immediate help. Two strangers walk by. Are you inclined to approach the person who looks most like you or the one who is totally different?
I would approach the one who is smiling the biggest and seems happiest but I always try not to put my burdens on others. I would give the shirt off my back but would have to truly need emergency help to ask.
so no points.
BONUS QUESTION: You are living on a block of high-priced homes in a predominantly white area. Within six weeks, three families - Asian American, Latino, and African American -buy homes and move on your block. Do you:
1) Call the Realtor to ask how much you can get for your home.
2) Welcome the new neighbors by taking them house plants.
3) Gather longtime neighbors at your house to develop a strategy for "protecting" the neighborhood.
well I probably would speak to them, when I run into them, the same as anyone else and go from there. If I like being around them as people, come on over -----------IF I don't like someone - I won't have them over - black, white, asian, hispanic ------what ever.
Basically my response would be, I would treat them the same as ANYONE else -------- no different - no better, no worse.
In my opnion, that is the real key to colour blindness, is to treat everone the same. If you do things just to show you are colour blind, aren't you really showing that you see a difference.
All men are created equal and in God's image, it is what we do with that life that should matter.
Posted by: richard | April 17, 2008 at 12:26 AM
This quiz is so indicative of the rhetoric that mainstream media perpetuates when it comes to the issue of 'color-blindness'. The whole concept is loosely defined however it has received hoardes of attention and kudos; but if you really did some hardcore critical thinking into the idea of color-blindness, it falls apart at the seams.
Color-blindness, as it stands, is a fallacy. This society is NOT color-blind and will not be for a very long time. Color-blindness ignores the turbulent histories and conditions of minorities. At the same time, much of the responsibility to uphold
color blindness requires ethnic groups to suppress or sacrifice their ethnic identity.
Color-blindness should not be considered the ability to look past one's 'color' in order to respect them. You should also be able to respect them just as much because of their 'color'. When I say 'color', then I'm taking into account cultural identity and ethnic history. Color blindness tends to erase cultural identity and ethnic history. Also, it ignores the systems that have been constructed intentionally to allow one group to excel and other groups to be marginalized and suppressed.
This quiz focuses on individuality, which has absolutely nothing to do with society at large or the systems in place that continue to allot privilege based on 'color'. I guess what I'm really saying is once you've taken the quiz and counted your points, then pat yourself on the back for being such a 'humanitarian'. Then, wake up to reality.
Posted by: Kamaria7 | April 17, 2008 at 10:26 AM
As a person who is not white, black, hispanic, korean, japanese, chinese, or vietnamese, every answer is yes and color blindness has nothing to do with it.
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Posted by: Josephn Dautty | January 28, 2011 at 11:48 PM
If you have minorities working for you, but none advising you, you might do a cultural audit.
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