Equality Overboard

I came across this image in my Facebook feed a few weeks back and it really created an inner turmoil that I still to this day cannot totally understand. I was unsure if my feelings were warranted or outrageous. However, after sharing with my edu-buddies, I came to the conclusion that we are all on the same page.

Here’s what I think:

• Markers made up of a variety of skin colors allows children to color people drawings in a way that is more reflective of themselves and our melting pot culture.
• The label ‘multi-cultural’ seems to overly draw attention this is marker pack. Is it multi-cultural or is it just a pack of skin colored markers? There is a lot more to culture than color and stating that this specific marker pack is PC by being multi-cultural seems a bit far-fetched.
• In trying to bring cultures together in one marker pack, we actually separate them. If we wanted to truly bring all colors together to showcase ‘multiculturalism’ then they should be in the same pack with all other markers. Being in their own separate pack does seem to unite but rather isolate. It’s not being inclusive as its PC ‘multi-cultural’ title wants to portray. These are now ‘different’ markers, unlike the others. Is that what we want to preach? Or should we have them included in the whole pack for equality sake?
• Would a child really want a marker pack solely of skin colors? Sure you can draw people, but they won’t have clothes on unless they are skin colored clothing options. To draw a person with a setting you will probably need more than skin colored markers, which means parents now have to buy two marker packs so a child can color pictures reflective of their own lives. Now we have just made a marketing scheme to get parents to buy more products, when really we wanted to give students skin color options that could easily have been found in one pack for a convenient price.

I understand that by sharing my not-so-PC thoughts that I could upset a lot of people. I also understand I may be the only person that feels the way I do, but in sharing these ideas with my edu-buddies, they agreed. Yes, at first we all thought this was a great idea and product. But, as we started to think about it on deeper levels, we realized its actually quite flawed in its efforts to unite in equality and multiculturalism.

What is your gut telling you when you first see the image of the markers above?

Is that feeling the same once you thought about it from different perspectives and on deeper levels?

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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