To collectively lump together the entire human race with the exception of one specific racial group based solely on skin color appears prejudicial, if not radically racist.  It also appears as “Us” and “Them.”  In fact, it lends itself to appearing as “Us vs. them.”

As the teacher stood in front of her kindergarten class, she held up posters for the children to see.  She asked the class:  What color is snow?  Hands went up, and she called on Darien.  Darien proudly blurted out, “White.”  She held up another poster featuring a piano.  She asked the class:  “What color are the piano keys?”  All eager hands were raised; she called on Teri.  Teri responded:  “Black and white.”  The teacher pulled out another poster with the picture of a lamb on it.  She asked the class:  “What color is the lamb?”  Again, all hands were raised.  She called on Ahmed.  Ahmed stood up and said: “White.”  She told the class she had one last poster and raised it for all to see.  She then said, “Children, this is another lamb.  What color is this lamb?”  Tanya lifted her hand high and was called upon to answer, and she cried out, “Black.”  The teacher was proud that the children recognized and could name the colors and learned the same animals could be different colors.

When it comes to colors, children appear to see what they see and call them what they are.  They recognize all colors and do not ignore or omit any.  This is a lesson some adults might do well to learn.

In the past, Blacks were the only ones called “people of color.” That may have been a derivative of “colored people.”  Adults play with words creating euphemisms for words that might be less acceptable.  Today, many Blacks prefer usage of the word “Black” as opposed to “people of color.”  But the term “people of color” is now used to collectively cover everyone who is non-white.

What’s wrong with this picture, this trend?  If we were to literally interpret the phrase with an emphasis on “color,” wouldn’t everyone be included?  Isn’t “white” also a color?  Children recognize it as a color.  White is as visible as any other color.  It’s not a synonym for invisible.  There appears to be a subtle, but sinister, purpose behind collectively lumping together everyone but anyone recognized to be considered white.  Even bi-racial people, where one is half white and half another racial color, are included.  The determined and specific omission of “White” people communicates a message—a message that implies negativity toward people considered white.  How confusing could or must this be to children who see colors clearly and without prejudice?

To collectively lump together the entire human race with the exception of one specific racial group based solely on skin color appears prejudicial, if not radically racist.  It also appears as “Us” and “Them.”  In fact, it lends itself to appearing as “Us vs. them.”

A lovely post on Facebook went viral.  It said: “God chose your skin color.  You choose your character.”  Can anything be truer?  We have no control over our physical features, but we have total control over our spirit, including and especially character.

We are living in a time of epic promotion of racial division and a time where euphemisms are used to corrupt facts and truths in order to further or promote unhealthy agendas.  The term, “people of color,” is just one of such euphemisms.  We are all “people of color.”  Even within our own racial, colored group, there is great diversity. And though we represent great diversities, we all share major commonalities.  We are all capable of good or evil.  We are all capable of love or hate.  We are all capable of prejudice or acceptance.  We are all capable of racism or equality.  World history is a great reminder of these truths.

But we can learn from children.  Even Jesus Christ said: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. . .”  (Matthew 11: 25). The wisdom of children is so simple; they recognize what they see, and they say what they see.  They also are non-prejudicial unless or until they are taught prejudice.

Let’s learn from children and recognize all colors—all skin tones—with equal respect and dignity.  Let’s change the euphemism to “We are all people of color.”  The result will surely bring greater understanding and unity to our nation.

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.