avatarWendy Weber

Summary

Leila, a person with Down syndrome, is presented as an exemplar of color blindness, viewing everyone equally without prejudice, which challenges societal norms and encourages introspection about our own biases.

Abstract

The article discusses the concept of color blindness through the lens of Leila, a woman with Down syndrome who has not been exposed to prejudice and therefore does not harbor negative feelings towards others based on race, physical attributes, or speech. Drawing a parallel with the song "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" from the musical "South Pacific," the author reflects on how Leila's unbiased perspective on humanity is a result of not being burdened by societal biases. Leila's experience contrasts with that of Ensign Nellie Forbush from the musical, who struggles with her own ingrained prejudices. The author suggests that Leila's approach to seeing people as they are, without preconceived notions, is a lesson for everyone to strive towards. The article concludes by questioning the reader's own stance on color blindness and invites them to listen to the referenced song, emphasizing the need for fewer negative influences in today's world.

Opinions

  • The author believes that prejudice is not innate but learned, as evidenced by Leila's lack of bias despite exposure to both overt and subtle forms of cruelty.
  • Leila's color blindness is seen as a purer, more admirable way of interacting with the world, free from the "mental junk" that complicates the thoughts and judgments of others.
  • The author implies that individuals with simpler thoughts, like Leila, serve as examples for society to emulate in order to overcome prejudice.
  • There is a critique of the prevalent examples of bias in the news, family, and friend circles, which the author suggests contribute to societal divisions.
  • The author acknowledges that while Leila can be manipulative to some extent, she never intends to harm others, contrasting her behavior with the often hurtful manipulations seen in society.
  • The article poses a rhetorical question to the reader, challenging them to consider their own position on color blindness and whether they are making efforts to see others without bias.

Do You See People as People?

LEILA LESSONS — COLOR BLIND?

Through What Colored Glasses Do You See People?

Leila at Eye Doctor, June 7, 2019. Photo by Author

Leila has no prejudices. We never taught her that, and she didn’t pick any up from anyone.

Do you recall the song from the musical South Pacific “ You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” sung by John Kerr (in the 1958 movie) as Lieutenant Joseph Cable, USMC? He sang it to an island French plantation owner Emile de Becque, played by Rossano Brazzi (Whoo-hoo! -I don’t know how to describe a wolf whistle in print).

Anyway, the occasion for the song was just after the Thanksgiving Day revue called the Thanksgiving Follies put on by the GIs and led by nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush from Little Rock, Arkansas, who had had a rather sheltered upbringing. She decided not to marry Emile, with whom she had fallen in love, after learning that he had been married to a Polynesian woman who bore him 2 adorable children. She couldn’t get over her prejudice. She said that she couldn’t help it, that it was born in her.

Emile complained to Lt. Cable that he cannot believe that these feelings of prejudice are born in “us”. Cable said that they’re not, and sang the song.

Well, we never exposed my daughter Leila who happens to have Down syndrome to prejudice. My children and I observed cruelty and deliberate teasing to hurt us overtly and subtly about her. But she never felt it. So she never had negative feelings about anyone, unless they deliberately hurt her to her face, which was rare.

That’s why I say she is color blind. To her people are people, no matter the skin tone, physical attribute, speaking ability, etc. She doesn’t analyze this, is not aware that she does this. To her it just “is”. And we don’t need to define the definition of what “is” is.

Without all the mental junk that crowds the minds of those of us who are less simple in thought and judgment, she and people like her are an example for the world.

Why can’t we all be more like that?

Fewer bad examples from the news, family, friends would be a tremendous help, especially in these times.

I’m not saying that Leila cannot be manipulative to some extent, but never to hurt someone. That’s another story.

What’s your story? Are you or are you trying to be color blind?

If not, why not?

I invite you to listen to the song referenced above. (You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught)

Logo Owned by Wendy Weber
Prejudice
Down Syndrome
Life Lessons
Intellectual Disabilities
Illumination
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