Why Isn't It Considered Racist

[lankeela]

when news stories point out that people are black or people of colour - twice this week stories have centred on someone's ethnicity. The woman who trekked to the South Pole was the 'first woman of colour' to do so and now Sidney Poitier is being hailed as the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Surely that is being racist by pointing it out?

[lady-janine]

Why point out their colour or ethnicity. They are people. Mention it only in passing but not make a big deal out of it. Not racist to point it out just unnecessary.

[Mozz71]

Nah, it's not racist as it is relevant to the achievement. Overcoming an overwhelmingly white centred academy was a massive achievement, and paved the way for other black actors to gain recognition and top billing.

[Khandro]

Corby //Both were "firsts" so their colours were relevant.//

So could we expect the first of anything to be noteworthy? what about the first person with blue eyes to reach the South pole?
If we are to propagate the idea that colour really doesn't matter, then pointing out skin colour is surely racist.

[Zacs-Master]

I agree entirely with Khandro. If colour is irrelevant the woman who trekked to the North pole is……just another human being to do so. I can see the relevance of the Poitier story as times were different back then.

[rowanwitch]

The thing is, colour is relevant in that it becomes a part of your identity as much as your gender, sexual orientation, and the job you do. They mean that you will fall prey to stereotypes, no matter how far from your reality they are. These things affect who you are likely to have in your immediate circle, and even where you are likely to live. To live without isms doesn't mean a person's differences don't exist, it means they are accepted , and do not affect how you view the individuals. At a society level it means that all individuals have equality of opportunity based on ability rather than preconceptions.

[Zacs-Master]

Exactly, so if colour is irrelevant, why make it a feature of an achievement?

[emmie]

black actors in the Hollywood heyday didn't get much choice of roles, usually the maid, butler and so it was important when Sidney Poitier made the breakthrough.

[youngmafbog]

I am of the opinion that we are all equal meaning I find it hard to buy into articles exalting people because of their colour or race.

Time we all just got on with it.

Both are great achievements though.

[ichkeria]

I guess the fact that some people make such a fuss about it these days means we have moved on since the early days of Sidney Poitier. We forget what a big issue it was at the time.
But it was. And therefore is of course worth mentioning.

[Khandro]

Reminder: the OP isn't about Poitier

[ichkeria]

"and now Sidney Poitier is being hailed as the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Surely that is being racist by pointing it out? "

From the OP, if you read it all the way to the end

[davebro]

yes it is racial bias

//far more convincingly than Teeny tiny Cruise.//
why point out his stature? that's size-ist.

Warwick Davis should be the next James Bond!

[aelmpvw]

i thought it was considered racist to use the word 'colour', i can't keep up

[douglas9401]

As a spokesman for the black community I'm aghast at this attempt to deny the achievements of people of colour.


Hey, this stuff's easy. Get me on the BBC.

[Khandro]

ichi : correct.

[davebro]

I wonder what Robert Falcon Scott would think of lone women trekking across the South Pole?

[ToraToraTora]

It's only racist if they are doing something bad lankeela! Come on!

[pixie374]

Agree with Rowan. It "should be" irrelevant, but still isn't. Many on here who say it is no longer necessary to mention colour, also answered "no" on whether a black actor should be allowed to play James Bond.
Lots of mind-changing, depending on which thread.

[Zacs-Master]

James Bond was written as a white person which makes the argument completely different.

[pixie374]

Ah, why? What about people being "human" and colour not relevant? Would it change the role?