Dr. Ambs Aremuorin

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The Tyranny of Perception: Who Decides the Rules?

In a world obsessed with binaries—rich vs. poor, left vs. right, good vs. evil—one of the most insidious divides remains: too white vs. too black.

This isn’t just about skin tone; it’s about perception, identity, and the invisible lines that dictate belonging. Step outside the prescribed boundaries, and you’re too much of one, not enough of the other.

But who draws these lines? And why do they exist at all?

The ‘Right’ Amount of Black or White—An Impossible Standard

Sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois famously spoke of double consciousness—the internal conflict of seeing oneself through the eyes of a dominant society. It’s a struggle many still face:

• A Black person excelling in academia or business is accused of “acting white.”

• A white person embracing hip-hop culture is called an appropriator.

• A biracial individual is often asked, “So… what are you really?”

The rules are arbitrary, yet their consequences are real.

“If you’re too white, you lack culture. If you’re too black, you lack assimilation. Either way, you are an outsider.”

— Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Critical Race Theorist

This manufactured divide controls everything—from job opportunities to beauty standards, from political representation to social acceptance.

Red: The Color That Divides & Unites

Why did you highlight red? It’s no coincidence. Red is the color of power, warning, and revolution. It has shaped history:

• Redlining kept Black communities from home ownership.

• The Red Handprint symbolizes missing and murdered Indigenous women.

• Revolutionary movements from the Black Panthers to anti-colonial uprisings were bathed in red.

Red demands attention. It is the color of both oppression and defiance.

Maybe too white and too black are distractions—designed to divide. Maybe the real revolution is rejecting those labels entirely.

The Data: Who Holds the Power?

The impact of racial perception isn’t just social—it’s statistical. Consider:

• Job Discrimination: Applicants with “Black-sounding” names are 50% less likely to receive callbacks than those with “white-sounding” names, even with identical resumes. (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2023)

• Beauty Standards: 68% of Black women feel pressured to alter their natural hair for professional acceptance. (Dove CROWN Study, 2021)

• Cultural Erasure: Rock and jazz, pioneered by Black artists, were historically repackaged for white audiences, while white celebrities adopting Black styles today are called “trendy.”

The message is clear: you must be palatable to be accepted. But who determines the flavor?

Spirituality, Science & Politics: What the Thinkers Say

Religious texts have long used color as metaphor:

• The Bible calls sin scarlet (Isaiah 1:18).

• Hindu gods appear in multiple hues, symbolizing divine essence.

• Buddhism rejects duality altogether—reminding us that labels are illusions.

Science agrees. Geneticist Nina Jablonski states:

“There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race—scientifically, anthropologically.”

Yet, politically, race dictates everything from economic privilege to police encounters. Figures like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama all navigated the “racial tightrope,” balancing expectations of Blackness and Whiteness in public discourse.

Owning Your Identity—Without Apology

What if we stopped performing for acceptance?

History is full of figures who defied racial binaries:

• Jean-Michel Basquiat fused Black identity with avant-garde art.

• Prince transcended racial, gender, and musical boundaries.

• Frida Kahlo challenged both whiteness and indigeneity in her self-portraits.

They weren’t “too much” of anything. They were exactly as they needed to be—unapologetically themselves.

“History doesn’t belong to those who fit in—it belongs to those who dare to stand out.”

So, the real question is: Are you willing to stand out?

The New Revolution: Rejecting the Labels

As we move into 2025 and beyond, identity should not be a negotiation. Whether you are too white, too black, or too much for others—own it.

Because the most radical act in a world obsessed with categories is to reject the categories altogether.

#RaceAndIdentity #TooWhiteTooBlack #ColorismDebate #CulturalNarratives #ReclaimingIdentity #SocialJustice #DiversityMatters #BreakingBarriers #ThePowerOfRed

Aremuorin is a multi-award-winning art artist, writer, and humanitarian, known for his unique fusion of music, writing, and advocacy. With a focus on empowerment and social justice, his work aims to inspire, educate, and uplift communities worldwide. Aremuorin has been honored with numerous accolades, including awards in the UK, USA, and Africa, and holds two honorary doctorate degrees for his contributions to both the arts and humanitarian work. His artistry goes beyond entertainment, as he uses his platform to bring attention to issues of mental health, social change, and cultural pride.

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