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1 Color-Blindness and Racism Caitlyn H Lenkey PSYC-FPX3540 Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity Capella University May 28, 2024

2 Color-Blindness and Racism Your Chosen Issue Many people fight the concept of their own potential racism with the counter argument that they are “colorblind”, insinuating that they do not see the color of people’s skin and therefore cannot pass judgement against them based on their race. I heavily disagree with this statement. It is impossible to be “colorblind” in a society like the United States facilitates when many of the cultural ideals we run on are based in systemic racism and have put marginalized communities at a great disadvantage consistently throughout history. Saying that this is a solution diminishes the struggles American citizens who are not white face daily and dismisses the injustices they face. Position and Arguments “Color-blindness” is not the solution to racism. On the surface, the concept comes across as one that would be positive, but it is a diminishing viewpoint and opinion that does nothing to solve the issue of racism. Ignoring someone’s race does not solve the problems that are found within systemic racism. Our country was founded on beliefs and ideals that leave marginalized communities at a disadvantage against the average white citizen and color-blindness ignores this fact. Racism isn’t just seen in daily interactions but in the legislature by which we live. Thinking of color-blindness as the solution to racism is a naïve and useless idea; it gives people the excuse to avoid learning about what racism truly is, how deep it is embedded into our society, and how deeply it affects people. Most people who claim color-blindness is the solution to racism are white Americans who cannot experience racism, therefore, have no concept of the true implications’ racism has on

3 those who are anything other than white. It is an uneducated “solution” to one of our greatest downfalls as a nation and as humans. Many scholars regard this approach as a “racial microaggression” that minimizes the importance of race and ethnicity for people of color (Skinner-Dorkenoo, 2021). There is also evidence pointing to color evasion (color-blindness) not being effective in reducing the appearance of being prejudiced. Focusing on ignoring someone’s race diminishes their individuality that may be tied to their race or their culture. Focusing on commonality is detrimental if it dismisses important parts of oneself. Counterarguments and Rebuttals Counterarguments Color-blindness focuses on looking at a person for who they are, not what the color of their skin is. This belief and those who believe it is a solution to racism, for if you do not see race (or “color”) then you cannot discriminate based on race (West, 2021). Those who are in support of color-blindness as a solution to racism believe that it will “level the playing field” and foster a better environment for building a sense of community. They choose to focus on things that make them alike as opposed to highlighting their differences. It allows them to develop a closer connection with individuals based on things they are already knowledgeable about or shared experiences they share (West, 2021). Another counter argument people use to defend the use of color-blindness as a solution to racism is that being color-blind is seen as more inclusive than acknowledging race. It allows everyone to be able to come together as humans, not as separate races. They believe that our common humanity is greater than those differences that are seen across different races. Rebuttals Especially in the field of psychology, looking at everyone through a singular, one-

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