Colorblindness is a disability that affects approximately 10 percent of men in the US, with red-green colorblindness (or deficiency) being the most common type. Being an individual with red-green colorblindness, I have to almost always explain how I perceive the world. While it is not a huge problem to do so, there are certain questions that those with colorblindness are frankly tired of hearing.
1. “So do you see things in black and white?”
Being a certain type of colorblind does not necessarily mean
that you cannot identify colors. Although this may be true in extreme and rare
cases, it is generally not true for most individuals. Rather, I perceive my
vision as relative to the location of the object and the amount of light in the
room.
2.“How do you pick out your clothes?”
Once again, it is relative. (However, it is kind of
difficult trying to tell if a single pair of dress pants or set of socks are
navy blue or black...)
3. “Do you have trouble with traffic lights?”
This has to be one of the most ignorant questions proposed
to me by someone. Each of the lights in a traffic signal is placed in a certain
place for a reason. Even if one was completely colorblind they would still be
able to see.
4. “How is Christmas for you?”
Just like anyone else’s Christmas? Santa loves me.
5. “What color is this? *points to random object*
This is a question
that one can ask to make anyone who
is colorblind very annoyed. Try equating this to going up to someone who is
visually impaired, removing their glasses, and asking them if they can see
perfectly. Or going up to someone in a wheelchair, taking it away, and asking
if they can walk. While the last case is kind of extreme, it is also somewhat
the same thing because you are asking someone to perform a task that challenges
his or her disability.
6. “So did you know
you were black growing up?”
...
Please do the colorblind community a favor and think before you ask certain questions.
