What we consider our reality may not be ours. According to Google’s English dictionary, which is said to be sourced from Oxford Languages, truth is “that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.” After looking at many other variations of the definition, it was safe to conclude that truth correlates with that which is a fact. The same source defines fact as “a thing that is known or proved to be true.” Therefore, truth is underpinned by evidence that proves something real, accurate and factual. With that in mind, to what degree are we living our lives, making choices, and applying perceptions of ourselves based on rationality and truth?
When exploring colors, the facts indicate that neither black nor white is an actual color. Instead, they are said to be neutral shades used to augment colors. Turning to the science of physics, visible light having specific wavelengths can be considered as color. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “color is simply the range of visible light that humans can see.” Neither black, white, nor even tones such as pink can be found on the visible light spectrum. Britannica explains, “The human eye is capable of seeing only light with wavelengths between 380 and 750 nanometers.” Interestingly, the visible light spectrum that we can see matches the colors of the chakras that run through our bodies – from violet to red in nanometer intensity. Violet ranges between 380 and 450 nanometers (nm), and red increases to between 590 and 750 nm. Other colors not found on the visible light spectrum, like pink, get introduced when our eyes blend wavelengths. So why speak of color this way, and what does it have to do with truth?
Well, it is time we as a society face the impact that the ‘illusion of truth effect‘ has had on all of us. The effect becomes apparent when someone repeatedly hears the same message and eventually succumbs to the very thing they have been listening to and proves the message is correct by their actions. But was it?
Let’s explore this at a deeper level. You are encouraged to read the previous article that introduced the illusion of truth effect, but here is a brief recap. The illusion of truth effect, also known as the reiteration effect, is our tendency to believe false information is correct after repeated exposure. First studied in 1977, the result has undergone further studies that have upheld the original findings. Today, it is a well-ingrained and accepted psychological concept and one that has been significantly damaging for many visible minorities, including people of color. Our exposure to repeated and falsified information spans generations and decades. Logically and rationally, people of color know they are not black. In the same way, Caucasians are not the shade white. For heaven’s sake, from toddler age, we were taught our colors and used them in many art-related activities. We see the proper shade of black and white every day. Yet, we reject logic and rationality to identify people in society with those shades – why is that?
The “black” labeling oppressed people of color, generations fought, and many died to lift the oppression. Only to now have us, at the height of our education and progress, collectively become the voice of our oppressors and pass on the oppressive label to our newer innocents. These newer innocents should have the prospect of other freedoms, teachings, and learnings. Instead, many of us pass these batons disguised as defiance, pride, and self-acceptance. The profound damage and acceptance of a false reality are being passed on. Of all the things we could have picked up to proudly proclaim our existence, we choose the familiarity of the “black” falsehood. I know children and youth that do not see themselves in this way. Yet, now face a society that shouts “it is that way” on their behalf. And in doing so, we fall prey to the illusion of truth effect.
In the last article, I shared how I felt about myself in my formative years was not entirely because of things said by my grandmother. It was because what was told by my grandmother was reinforced by repeated messages and actions within my everyday environment. Over many years, I have reconciled much of my childhood anger, hurts, and pain. I have also managed to remove myself from the cyclical hurts perpetuated in society related to my identities as both a female and a person carrying a different skin tone. I now know we are examples of the reiteration effect, including my grandmother. She acted, genuinely believing that lighter skin had more merit and value than darker skin. Unfortunately, the environmental circumstances of those days fueled her thinking and sentiments, which got handed down to me, and society did the rest. From my perspective, a damaging legacy, for sure, that we are now perpetuating on ourselves under the guise of self-identification. Even more profoundly, given our exposure to news and advertising, all of us are somehow impacted by this effect.
Recent studies have shown that the illusion of truth effect occurs with false news. That impact is dangerous because it lulls us into thinking our selections and the feelings around those actions are real. According to the Journal of Experimental Psychology, the 2015 study conducted by Lisa K. Fazio, Nadia M. Brasier, B. Keith Payne, and Elizabeth J. Marsh suggested that the illusion of truth effect can influence participants who started out knowing the correct answer, but who were swayed to believe otherwise through the repetition of falsehood. However, from what could be deciphered in my research, these studies were short and did not span generations. Leaving me to wonder just how embedded generational messaging goes and to what degree the damage is.
I had openly acknowledged this psychological concept had me living my life flawed. The effect controlled much of that life until I opted for more. In pursuing that more, I shut down cable and sought a different lifestyle, experiences, skills, and resources for coping outside the hostile disempowering rhetoric.
Over time, with new stimuli and thoughts not influenced by others, I was able to set daily intentions. Three words formed through those intentional moments – Lead with Love. I can confirm that these three words guided me to my heart and allowed me to let go of the small stuff. But, of course, doing that meant I had to deal with the big stuff. You see, the small stuff was distracting me from the big stuff. How convenient it is to avoid the real SHITES – my SHITES. On this new path, I even had to learn that “Lead With Love” applied to me first. I had to love myself before I could love others. I had to heal myself before seeking to recover others, hence why the Jenn Drakes Store has these words prominently stated on some products.
Jenn today is not defined by the color of her skin. I have walked away from such modes of identity. The decision to seek something different led me to know that I embody all colors through my chakras. My journey is one of the human experiences in which I ascend to higher and higher awareness of possibilities and thinking. Yes, my skin color visibly differs from others, as others visibly differ from mine. However, looking deeper, I see more than skin when I glance at anyone. At that depth, I know we are more alike than not; we are all connected, and each carries our magnificence. My awareness of the illusion of truth effect means I can see it for what it is and keep it at arm’s length. I respect whoever chooses to have their identity as a shade, be it black, white, or pink; however, that is a sandbox I choose to have no more extended play and will not pass on the tools of negativity and oppression. The big question for us is how much truth we are willing to face.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/story/are-black-and-white-colors
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-38275-001
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect
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About Jenn
Jenn has over 15 years in healthcare and is board-certified in designations having neuroscientific foundations. Attaining professional accreditations through recognized and respected Boards, such as ABNLP, means being held to ethical standards and conduct related to clients, everyday interactions, and even running the practice. It means Jenn’s services come with assurance and a guarantee. It also means she is committed to continuous maintenance and improvement of learning, and Jenn’s clients are the ones that ultimately gain the benefits of all that.
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