The case of the colorblind painter dramatizes the problem of colorblindness. The article describes the ordeal of a successful painter traumatized by the impact of a disorder that affected his life and the way he earns a living. He was not born with a genetic disorder; his colorblindness was the result of a freak accident (Sacks 5). Thus, his struggles are like windows that enable outsiders to understand the world inhabited by a colorblind person. The case of the colorblind painter serves to compel a change in attitude towards colorblindness, and classify it as a disability that requires consideration.
Human eyes are some of the most beautiful things in nature. Eyes are made up of complicated systems. However, the basic component is comprised of photoreceptors that enable the eye to distinguish the different colors of the rainbow. Those who are afflicted with colorblindness have malfunctioning photoreceptors (Good Mythical Morning 1).
Most of the time, colorblindness is a genetic disorder. In other words, a significant number of colorblind people had this affliction since birth. Without a doubt, they suffer from the effects of colorblindness. However, it is difficult for them to express their problems, and describe it in such a way that normal people are able to understand.
The need to understand their predicament goes beyond the need for empathy. They need to communicate their problems to a larger audience in order to initiate the legislative process. Lawmakers follow certain protocols when it comes to the legislative process (Dipboye and Colella 12). Lawmakers are dealing with numerous constraints when it comes to the ratification of new laws. As a result, public clamor for the ratification of laws geared towards helping colorblind people will surely speed up the process. In order to intensify support for this type of laws, the world needs to know the predicament of colorblind people.
In the case of the colorblind painter, normal people were given access to the problematic and depressing life of an invalid. The reaction of the colorblind painter was more severe compared to other people suffering from the same disorder. The stark difference was due to the fact that the colorblind painter in the article was not born with the said disorder. Thus, he was able to experience success as a painter before he was forced to quit due to his condition. His depression was made more severe because he was not an average painter.
Before the accident changed his life forever, the colorblind painter was able to distinguish different shades of color in the same way that a musician with keen ears can identify notes emanating from a musical instrument. Thus, he was traumatized when he was no longer able to create works of art.
Due to the testimony of the colorblind painter, it is now easier to understand the type of challenges that colorblind people had to endure on a daily basis. One can just imagine how they need to make adjustments in a world that was never created with their disability in mind. Therefore, traffic systems were developed with color-coded signals.
It is also easier to understand the type of work-related discrimination that they had to go through on a regular basis. If they cannot distinguish red from blue, it may discourage employers from hiring them. The same thing can be said of workers with minimal physical disability. They suffer from discrimination even if they can keep up with the workload. From the point of view of employers, people with disability had to take extra effort that normal human beings are able to accomplish with ease. Thus, employers tend to think that disabled persons are unable to perform in the most cost efficient manner.
Colorblind people and their families must work together to transform the public perception on colorblindness. Lawmakers must come to understand that colorblindness is not a debilitating disease. People with colorblindness can function like normal people. They simply need to make adjustment to cope with the limitations created by their disability. Lawmakers must ratify laws to prevent discrimination in the workplace, and discrimination in the hiring process when it comes to colorblind people.
Conclusion
It is imperative to treat colorblindness as some form of disability. A deeper understanding of this disorder will enable national governments to ratify laws that will help prevent discrimination against those suffering from the impact of colorblindness. It is also imperative to discuss the experience of the colorblind painter in order to have a clear understanding of the nature of the disorder. Exposure to this type of articles enables normal human beings to understand the predicament of colorblind people.
Thus, greater awareness of the issue will lead to greater public clamor for the ratification of laws to help colorblind people. Lawmakers must develop laws that will prevent discrimination in the workplace. Lawmakers must develop laws to make life easier for colorblind people. A good example of the change process is the creation of public facilities that are accessible to colorblind people. It is also best to create new traffic signal designs with colorblind people in mind.
Works Cited
Dipboye, Robert and Adrienne Colella. Discrimination at Work. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2005. Print.
Good Mythical Morning. “Are You Color blind?” Online video clip. YouTube. 2014. Web.
Sacks, Oliver. An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales. New York: Alfred Knopf Publishing, 1995. Print.