London ( CNN ) I found myself talking back to the radio this morning in a way that I 've never quite done before . The station was LBC , one of the UK 's leading radio stations , and the topic in question was British actor Benedict Cumberbatch 's use of the term `` colored '' during his appearance on the `` Tavis Smiley Show '' on PBS in the United States . The uproar that has ensued has left me slightly perplexed . Cumberbatch was discussing with Smiley the inequality of roles for black actors in the UK and the frustrating lack of opportunities for them -- a subject that is close to my heart . In doing so , he mistakenly used an outmoded term to describe his fellow colleagues in their struggle . I am , and have been , offended by the term when it has been used towards me , and I do n't ever want to be described by this word -- one that is rooted in an abhorrent period of history in many countries , and has connotations that were intended to offend . It of course later became the politically correct term du jour , before finally being absented from common parlance , for good . But wait ! My yelling at the radio this morning comes from a place where I find myself wondering . Why are we choosing to lose the nuances here ? Are we more comfortable with obscuring the bigger picture behind an admittedly mistaken use of a word , than we are with receiving the actual message that the sender was trying to offer -- a very necessary message about injustice and inequality from someone who cared enough to voice it ? Is n't there a space to explore intent in a person 's actions , even when it comes to use of language that can offend ? Can our racial debates simply be reduced so easily to black and white , good or bad ? My slight connection with Cumberbatch is that we were once Facebook friends . We are loosely connected through industry friends and some of them are of color . So for my part , I see an actor who was on Smiley 's important show who was trying to stand in unity with his fellow actors , about an issue that has mostly been highlighted by those of color within the entertainment industry . I am one of those industry members . I have never understood issues of any kind of prejudice and inequality to be anything other than a problem for all of society . The idea that we can relegate certain groups to the margins , stifling any potential they may bring to the mainstream , seems a foolish lack of foresight in understanding that such prejudice harms society as a whole -- not only those relegated . And , in my opinion , to change endemic injustices requires a holistic approach -- one that calls on all areas of society to come together to demand change . So when an actor like Cumberbatch takes on questions of inequality and is not simply pulled up and corrected , but has his whole background and character denigrated for using a word of outdated terminology , in spite of the greater message in his words , are we not responding with the very same prejudice that we have used to label him ? Are we not also terrifying others who may wish to speak out on the same issues ? Wo n't they keep quiet for fear they may make a mistake under the pressure of an interview and the importance of the subject and find their message lost ? I myself have struggled in interviews to ensure my message is not lost in the split-second use of an incorrect word . The word has too much meaning and history for me as a black woman , but it is possible for others who are nervous and under the pressure of concerns to `` get it right '' to become confused and use the term `` colored '' in place of `` people of color '' when wishing to embrace black and other non-white ethnic groups . It 's not correct , but it 's possible to make the mistake , with the best intentions of trying to encompass all persuasions who encounter racism but in the end , I feel we all lose out if we dwell on the naïve use of a word ( and subsequent apology ) and become deaf to a message . We make mistakes . But is n't it time we started to have more nuanced discussions on race -- where heart and intent are taken into account , allowing us to concentrate on the very real battles we face to eliminate the existence of racism from all elements of our world ?
Benedict Cumberbatch apologized for calling black actors `` colored '' on U.S. TV . Score: 6 But are we not responding with the same prejudice that we have used to label him , she asks .