Many find the idea of a “Color of the Year” ridiculous, but the sheer senselessness of it spirals when people take offense. This is exemplified by Pantone’s recent announcement of “Cloud Dancer” for 2026, a color that appears to be a muddled version of white. This choice has drawn criticism from far-left circles, with accusations branding it as “racist” and “tone-deaf.” Such reactions highlight a growing trend of outrage over trivial matters, suggesting that some individuals have misplaced priorities.
The U.K. Daily Mail captured the disillusionment when they reported that “woke liberals” are having a meltdown over this benign color choice. One critique on Instagram even claimed that its selection “unintentionally aligns with cultural and political symbolism that many of us find deeply troubling.” This obsession with the color shows a startling disconnect from the realities faced by everyday individuals dealing with serious issues like health and finances. It begs the question: do these individuals truly grasp what real challenges look like?
Add to this a critical point that often gets overlooked. The president of Pantone, Sky Kelley, is a black woman. To label Pantone’s choice as racist implies that she would endorse a choice rooted in racism. This notion is absurd and neglects the fact that Kelley’s responsibilities as a corporate leader are far more pressing than engaging in debates over color symbolism. She has a corporation to run, and the far-left’s outrage over a color suggests they need to reassess their focus.
Furthermore, the arbitrary nature of the outrage becomes clearer when examining past selections. Pantone’s color for 2025 was “Mocha Mousse,” a brown shade. Did white conservatives protest that? Of course not. Similarly, previous shades like “Peach Fuzz” and “Viva Magenta” sailed by without inciting any significant backlash. This selective indignation indicates a lack of consistency in the criticisms leveled at Pantone and underscores the absurdity of the current climate of outrage.
It’s also worth noting that Pantone’s political affiliation is minimal at best. According to Open Secrets, employees donated less than $500 to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, and the company itself did not contribute at all. The idea that Pantone would deliberately choose a color to promote any form of racism is ludicrous.
Ultimately, this uproar over “Cloud Dancer” exemplifies a deeper issue within society—one that prioritizes outrage over rational discourse and real-world issues. The intensity of the backlash serves to trivialize very real problems affecting many. As the rhetoric escalates over something as inconsequential as a color, it becomes clear that those involved are missing what truly matters.
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