Inspired by the collection of short story works of the Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury in 1951, Giovanna Napoleone writes a modern day, futuristic story based on the prevalent issue of racial profiling in a creative, non-conventional way for children. In the short story Spectrum, the present claim is intended to suggest the idea that racial profiling is still relevant today, and can not possibly end unless people change their mindset. As main character Mark finally buys his first pair of glasses, the Lenses within the story are meant to represent the filters that people see through when they see racial differences which also show their different perspectives of the world as a result of it. By having different colors being seen by all people in the story, it shows that every person has their own different versions of racism, and how that racism is unique to individuals and potentially harmful to our youth. Spectrum clearly displays the relevance of this topic through the way that everyone in Mark’s city goes about wearing the Lenses all day, everyday, and everywhere, including the chaos that ensues following the loss of them. At the end of the story, when the power source for society’s Lenses or means of racism disappears, it is clear that society struggles to see people in an equal light, due to the fear of unlearning their prejudices. As a result, within the short story Spectrum, the claim that racism is a mindset is highlighted through the use of technological Lenses and a play on color to show how racism affects trustworthiness in today’s society is a perfect message for children growing up in a polarized society who must learn the harms of prejudice.
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