Are we colour blind?

Someone commented this morning that I haven't been updating my blog these days. I don't think a weekend without news is long, but...

So, I'll just briefly describe my weekend. I baked for the first time in Sweden on Saturday. The chocolate fudge I made was delicious (agreed by everyone who tasted it), although I do think I can afford to add a little less sugar next time. The apple-banana muffins I did didn't rise, possibly because I waited too long before putting them into the oven. So they ended up as apple-banana pancakes instead. Tasted good nonetheless.

Anyway, something more important has been in my thoughts lately, after Friday.

I was told about 'Black Labour' in Sweden. What do you think about when you first hear this phrase?






I thought about a labour force that is black. Cheap labour?






Not exactly. Black labour in Sweden represents those who work without paying taxes, get cash for their work done, and no benefits.

But why did I think of the skin colour first? The gahmen likes touting our racial harmony and diversity as examples of the country's achievements, especially in the volatile world of today. But does focusing on our diversity do more harm than good? What good is it to mention about my race in application forms? Or if you need minority representation in the parliment? Are we not focusing on merits or talent? If so, then is there a need for the race issue?

We may be living harmoniously together, but integration is a long way off. Only when we are able to see one another without colour, can there be true integration and harmony.

Coincidently, children do not know how to distinguish the differences in race and skin colour until about age 4, when they are influenced by us, the adults. The change has to begin with us.