What is Skin Colour?
When I was a child I had a box of Crayola crayons with only eight colours. Perhaps the world had just made the transition from Black and White and was experimenting with the freshness of colour.
Each generation was ear marked by its palette. I grew up in shades of grey by the 70’s everything was in browns. Today, we are multi-coloured and multi-cultured fast paced. Embracing and alive.
I sit at the window counter of a Starbucks at Davisville and Yonge St sipping my latte and watching life go by at tempo.
I can remember a time doing the same thing in a cafe on Nanjing Road in the heart of Shanghai on the National Holiday. I had sought refuge in a cafe and perched myself on a similar window table so as to watch the hordes of people stream by to the Bund, the newly opened Apple store and all the excitements of Westernized China, where East meets West. They kiss on the cheek politely.
Too over-whelming to be part of the stream I chose sanctuary; so not to be swept away. Only weeks later some fool threw money to the crowd causing a stampede in which many died on their Sunday stroll. I stay on the high ground. Safe.
My father came to visit me when I lived in Nassau. He was not a worldly man and had rarely traveled. He had seen few dark skins and was overwhelmed. His generation still used the “N” world. “Dad”, I cautioned, “You can’t say that, especially here!” I think he understood. Each generation grows, mine did too.
Now, at speed I see Toronto the most multi-cultural city on display. On these occasions only then am I aware that I am the minority.
When I ask my granddaughter today to select from her box of 84 crayola colours, pick out skin colour. I hesitate to think which colour she will choose.
Marty Rempel
October 29, 2019
