John McCain spreading fear about childhood vaccines

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I honestly believe anyone who claims that the color of somone's Skins mean anything to them is either A) full of sh*t or B) completely unself-aware.

It is beyond impossible to be able to see someone's skin color and to discard it completely. ANY PHYSICAL attribute that is discerned automatically forces our brains to categorize. I see a tall guy and I'll assume he played basketball. This is what we do. If you can actually see someone's skin color then it DOES affect your thinking about them. It is inescapable and completely natural. What matters is what does it make you think?

I think you're right on, FRPLG.

Asking people to simply not see color at all is ridiculous. Every time we see someone we make judgments based on physical appearance. Skin color, hair color, eye color, clothing, height, weight, complexion, smell, etc. It's human nature and frankly it's the only thing we CAN see and analyze.

You might have the most wonderful, good heart in the world, but how can I see that? It's like people who think it doesn't matter how they dress. People, especially in the business world, WILL make a judgment about you to certain extent based on how you look and dress.

It's no different with race. Frankly, it's a little appalling that anyone might suggest we all be color blind because your color is part of your heritage, why would you simply want to ignore it? Your race traces back to your ancestors and your roots, it's something to be proud of not something to hope people completely ignore.

The problem is not in seeing color, but in negatively judging someone about a characteristic they can't change.

I'd say it's far more reasonable to judge someone based on their clothes, weight or other factors that they can control.

Sometimes we even make completely subconscious judgments based on physical traits. Studies have indicated that people will subconsciously pay more attention to people of above-average height and will tend to think they are more intimidating. Based on nothing else, a couple of extra inches in height makes people pay more attention. Incredible, and kind of useful for me since I'm 6'3.