Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of

Happiness Podcast.

For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want

to share that science with you.

And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.

I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that

calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.

BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts.

Hello, I'm Laurie Taylor and this is Thinking Aloud from BBC Radio 4.

Are we reaching the time when black and white will no longer be viable categories?

My guest thinks so.

Hello, I'm speaking in a rather husky voice today, but I have a story I think that's worth retelling.

It's a story about a surprising invitation from a Vice-Chancellor.

Would I like to join him and a small number of students for dinner?

Well, it was surprising because at the time of the at the table. But as I realized when I arrived this was no ordinary dinner party.

Every one at the eight students who had been invited to dinner was black.

Not that anyone mentioned this, not once. After dinner we were all ushered to a long semi-circular seat and approached by the

Vice-Chancer's wife. Now, now, she said briskly. Let me see. How many blacks do we have?

Well, it was, as one of the students said to me as we walked back home, a truly comic moment,

a cheery invitation to coffee that suddenly sabotaged the uneasy colour blindness of the evening, disguising the oddity of eight black students

altogether on an otherwise largely white campus.

And that's our first topic for today, what one might call the disparity between

...