According to one source, “colored people’s [CP] time” is a United States “expression referring to African Americans as frequently being late. It claims that African Americans can have a relaxed or indifferent view of punctuality, which leads to them being labeled as lazy or unreliable.”
The view of CP time is a perspective which some individuals use to disturb themselves. This occurs when using an irrational belief such as demandingness.
As an example, person X may unfavorably believe, “People shouldn’t use racially stereotypical phrases about black people which are based on archaic notions of laziness.” When using this assumption, person X may experience anger when person Y continues to use the phrase.
Unable to compel the speech of person Y, person X may then behave in an unhelpful way by rallying support from others of like mind and then targeting the employer of person Y. “You shouldn’t employ someone who uses racially insensitive language,” person X may demand.
Suppose person Y’s employer actually has intestinal fortitude not to be intimidated by an outrage mob and retains person Y’s employment status. Person X may then self-disturb even more so by contacting elected representatives in order to push so-called hate speech legislation.
“No one should be subject to vile hate speech which suggests that marginalized communities are comprised of lazy people,” person X may demand. Imagine that despite the best efforts of politicians, the First Amendment prevails and no law is passed regarding use of “CP time.”
Disturbed by an unhelpful perspective, person X may then project onto person Y all manner of unpleasant experience regarding the issue, because this is the individual with which the matter supposedly began. Person X then waits for person Y at the end of a workday and commits criminal homicide.
Although this scenario may seem hyperbolic, it’s precisely the sort of occurrence that may result when escalating unhealthy negative emotions, which result from unfavorable perspectives, are left unchallenged. What then may be done regarding this matter?
With dedicated and frequent practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) techniques, people such as the persons X of the world can take personal ownership for their reactions to undesirable events. This is achieved by challenging perspectives (CP) of the irrational variety.
Rather than language-policing the world, person X can adaptively believe, “While I don’t appreciate phrases such as ‘CP time,’ I’m not the moral arbiter of the universe. Therefore, I can tolerate and accept that other people don’t share my views.”
With this flexible belief, person X can devote time and other resources toward personal interests and goals which are achievable without requiring force from outside sources in order to realize. Therefore, I invite people to CP when self-disturbing in regard to phrases such as “CP Time.”
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Hollings, D. (2022, October 31). Demandingness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/demandingness
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2024, April 2). Four major irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/four-major-irrational-beliefs
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2024, April 9). Moral arbiter. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/moral-arbiter
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
Hollings, D. (2023, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought
Hollings, D. (2023, February 16). Tna. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tna
Hollings, D. (2024, March 18). Unhealthy vs. healthy negative emotions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unhealthy-vs-healthy-negative-emotions
Wayhomestudio. (n.d.). Woman checks pulse after jogging workout touches neck looks at watch dressed in sportswear stands outdoors monitors her health [Image]. Freepik. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-checks-pulse-after-jogging-workout-touches-neck-looks-watch-dressed-sportswear-stands-outdoors-monitors-her-health_20745316.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=0&uuid=3635c583-a00d-48a4-bdba-d9fe84f441de
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Colored people’s time. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colored_people%27s_time
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