Color Blindness

You have all heard some one say it, perhaps you have even said it yourself. “I’m colorblind, I don’t see race.” Often this is followed with something along the lines of “I treat everyone the same.” I have made this statement too. This concept came from a nice idea and often has wonderful intentions behind it. It comes from a desire to see everyone as equal, for race not to matter.

In this country this well intentioned idea has become a significant barrier to addressing the deep problem of racism. The fact is that race is a social construct and not a biological reality. However like every social construct (and many biological realities) it deeply affects our lives. As a white female my life is deeply shaped by my race and gender. As a white person I have privileges, and lack experiences that person of color share.

Saying that color doesn’t matter prevents us from seeing the deeply painful, and deeply wonderful experiences shared by persons of color that are not experienced by a white person. If you are unsure about the inequality in the system for people of color just look at the justice system, the economic system. Racism has becoming institutionalized in our society.

What do you think? Is there validity in the idea of color blindness? What do we gain or lose by this? Is there a better way to do it?