There’s More to Color Than Black and White

Re “Colorblind America Is Still an Illusion,” Commentary, Sept. 1: Being Eurasian, articles on racial issues attract my eye, yet commentaries like J.P. Gownder’s make me wonder if the term “color” shouldn’t be changed to “gray scale,” as the focus in so many articles seems to be on black and white -- to the virtual exclusion of “yellows” (Asian) and “browns” (Latinos). I learned in an art class many years ago that, strictly speaking, black and white aren’t really colors at all. In view of this, the message in the headline of Gownder’s otherwise worthy column rings even truer.

Anne Megowan

Los Angeles

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In opposing Proposition 54, Gownder says we need to collect racial data so that we can address inequities like “African Americans lag[ging] whites in attainment of college degrees 17% to 29%.” Does that mean that African Americans are less likely to graduate from college because of their skin color? It would be much more colorblind to say, for instance, that “poor people lag rich people in attaining college degrees.” A majority of Californians would cherish a colorblind society; Proposition 54 will help us achieve that goal.

Sheldon Welles

Pacific Palisades