Navigating Colorblindness: Unveiling the Complexity of Identity and Inequality - Essay Sample

Many times we hear people claim that they do not see color. When they say this they mean they "do not have a racist bone in their body (Medina, 2013)." Therefore, the dominant discussions on today's race revolve around people expressing their colorblindness. If a well-meaning colleague says "I am color blind; I teach everyone the same because I believe in inequality," there would be a moment of uncomfortable silence, the shifting of hands, sideways glances and shifting of feet. There would be then an awkward laugh meant to ease the tension. In my experience, the phrase "colorblindness" is said by well-intentioned people. They always speak it to reassure colleagues and acquaintances that all people are equal. The phrase is also used as a tactic for making people comfortable to prevent topics about race (Medina, 2013). I believe that the idea of explicit racism has delved too much into today's society. As a result, it has given way to a new concept of colorblindness. The idea of not seeing color makes people ignore the idea of the persistent state of discrimination. Therefore, my response would be based on the fact that colorblindness does not take the racial aspect that someone expresses.

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Having read and understood the concept of race, and ethnicity it is important to view colorblindness as a critical ideology. I tend to agree with sociologists when they say that the mechanisms that reproduce racial inequality have become more obscure, and covert, unlike the time when there was legal segregation (Medina, 2013). In many cases when people say they do not see color they have a well-meaning. Thus, it is inappropriate to give a harsh response. I could say it is okay to be colorblind and proceed with an explanation as to why it is not just enough to be colorblind. Being color blind does not mean that you are not a racist.

The people who express their colorblindness always mean good and want people to know that they are not racists. They are unable to conceive a state in which racism exists. In a real sense, what they are saying is that they do not agree with racial identity, and they think it is a bad thing. On the contrary, they do not see racial oppression as a bad thing (Vittrup, 2018). The statement from the colleague proves this analogy. He says he does not see color, but he believes in racial inequality. Therefore, if a colleague told me that he is colorblind, it would mean that he is in denial of being a racist.

Regardless of the intentions and the heart behind a statement of colorblindness, what other people hear especially people of color carries more weight than just those few words. In this case, I am going to assume I am a person of color. Nevertheless, such a statement is mostly said to people of color as a way of making them comfortable. As a person of color when someone says that they do not see color it can mean many this as illustrated below.

You do not see me.

"I do not see color" can mean that I am choosing to ignore the complexion aspect of you to feel comfortable around you. It is similar to saying "I do not see you." Hence, it is a casual dismissal. Besides, the remark that seems to be harmless negates everything that the speaker is trying to imply, which is " you are good as you are with me (Bonilla-Silva, 2006)." I do not intend to be counterintuitive, but can you imagine if someone declines to acknowledge your identity? One’s identity portrays a lot of things. It can tell if someone is committed, caring, loving, and wrong. Identity is a significant part of who people are. The color-blind person seems to act nice, but he is choosing what aspects of you to embrace thereby ignoring the whole of you, especially your embodiment. As a black or white person, your identity is who you are, and all of you. Sociologists argue that refusing to see color disregards the distinct beauty that is contained in a person's skin complexion.

You do not hear me.

The statement about colorblindness can also mean that someone is not ready to discuss things about racial injustice and inequality. The remark is meant to create a state whereby the listener's voice of unease is simultaneously ignored. Refusing to have a conversation about race only perpetuates the racial problems people face. People do not want to hear about the tough things surrounding race. They rather concentrate on distractive ideologies. At this stage, it is clear that everyone regardless of skin color has problems. It is also true that we live with a history that has continuously disenfranchised people of certain skin colors (Bonilla-Silva, 2006). The black people are always the victim of this situation.

You do not understand me.

This is another idea that I would extract when someone tells me that they do not see color. The speaker of such a statement does not have a desire to understand the listener. If you are a person of color you would expect the speaker to be considerate of you coming from, and what your experience is like with regards to racial inequality. Life has a way of proving that people do not always start with the same opportunities, and so they do not all end up at the same finish line (Walton et al., 2014). Saying that you do not see color may as well mean that you already have opportunities opened to you that may not be opened to me. It indicates ignorance and a lack of empathy for historical factors that continue to stand in someone's way despite their efforts. Acknowledging another person's point of view does not necessarily negate yours, instead, it provides more framework, and context for your experience (Walton et al., 2014). People who say they do not see color miss the opportunity to learn and grow as they invalidate the other person's reality because it is different from theirs.

It is worth noting that people of color always see color, and not because they are looking for it, but because their history and the places in which they navigate require them to consider how people may act due to their presence (Vittrup, 2018). For instance, when a person of color enters a room he will try to see if he is the only black person. If so, will the rest of the people assume that he is trying to make a statement with his look that seems to be different from that of the rest? The stereotypes and expectations placed on people of color during their encounters require an awareness of race. Therefore, I would expect people to be considerate before they say that they do not see color. Before you make such a remark ensure you know what you mean because it is like saying that you do not see the challenges, and attributes of the person you are speaking to at the moment (Vittrup, 2018). Most of those making these remarks always mean well, and so they should always find another phrase that acknowledges the differences, and perspectives that come from a person's skin color.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my response to the phrase "colorblind," would be in consideration of the various aspects that identity entails. In my opinion, different should not be used as a synonym for bad. Acknowledging skin color means you appreciate the diversity, and difference that people bear. The nuance, attributes, texture, and flavor are always incorporated in one’s color and so when looking at someone you should see these features, especially their value. The idea of not seeing color is poisonous in a way that ignores the basic aspect that comes with color. Some have been oppressed due to their skin color. Therefore, you can claim not to see the difference yet you agree with the inequality that comes with race. When people's difference is used to determine who is less, or more valuable, there is a distortion of people’s beliefs leading to the oppression of a particular group because they look different. Therefore, it is important to embrace diversity and see the world, and people through their complexion.

References

Medina, J. (2013). Color blindness, meta-ignorance, and the racial imagination. Critical Philosophy of Race, 1(1), 38-67.

Bonilla-Silva, E. (2006). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Walton, J., Priest, N., Kowal, E., White, F., Brickwood, K., Fox, B., & Paradies, Y. (2014). Talking culture? Egalitarianism, color-blindness, and racism in Australian elementary schools. Teaching and Teacher Education, 39, 112-122.

Vittrup, B. (2018). Color blind or color-conscious? White American mothers’ approaches to racial socialization. Journal of Family Issues, 39(3), 668-692.