Assignment A: Colorblindness and Bad Bunny

 

Talking Point 1:
Reading Colorblindness ticked me off just a little bit. It reminded me why I hated having race conversations with anyone "privileged". Hearing someone say, "I don't see color" while discussing racially driven issues in our world just makes me want to clothesline them ( hence the gif😅😆). The quote, "The United States is a 'nation of cowards,' according to Attorney General Eric Holder..." is what stood out to me because people do this on purpose. They're not  "cowards." to me; I believe many they are very open and unapologetic about their racism and discrimination. The problem isn't always silence—sometimes prejudice is expressed very openly. Whether they avoid the race conversation or not, they show that discrimination is still a visible issue in society.

Talking Point 2:
Quote 1 (Jose Gomez):
"It said: Our language doesn't need permission to exist here."

My Thoughts:
WOW! This quote, for me, is more than just about language being accepted. It acknowledges that any identity other than what's deemed as the norm identity (white) feels like they are tip toing in a country that tells them, "you and what you are are not welcomed; so get right or get lost!" Having the biggest televised event performance shown in its original native language and not translated to the "norm" made "others" feel seen and belong... even if for a moment.  

Quote 2 (Armstrong & Wildman):
"Racism does not exist to Whites who reason, 'Racism is not my problem because I am not someone with a race nor do I think badly about other races. I do not even usually think about race.'"

My Thoughts:
Another, "I wanna body slam them moment"! Claiming not to think about race does not mean racism no longer exists or that racial issues just disappear. Society as a whole needs to recognize differences and address the inequalities that still exist. Both echoes that identity matters and that pretending it doesn't only doubles down on our current racial issues.

Talking Point 3:
Jose Gomez also writes, "In Latino communities, food stands are how families survive, how culture is passed down, how neighbors know each other. The street is not just infrastructure—it's an extension of the home. Life happens outside, together." This quote resonated because it reminded me when my parents would talk about owning their own little vending ( I believe my mother's was clothing and sewing stand) in Haiti. It reminded me that for many cultures, these small businesses represent much more than a source of income—they symbolize family, survival, tradition, and community. This reminded me cultural practices are similar in a lot of ways across generations.

Argument Statement:
The readings by Jose Gomez and Margalynne J. Armstrong and Stephanie M. Wildman both argue that recognizing and valuing cultural identity is essential to creating a more inclusive society. Gomez explains that Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance was a powerful celebration of Latino culture, language, and traditions, demonstrating why authentic representation matters. Armstrong and Wildman argue that colorblindness allows systemic racism and White privilege to continue because it discourages honest conversations about race and inequality. Together, these readings suggest that acknowledging people's identities, rather than ignoring them, is an important step toward challenging discrimination and promoting equality.