An issue raised in the last class that was particularly interesting to me was the issue of color blindness. While many in the general population seem to believe that negating the presence of racial differences is a clear path towards the notion of equality, I feel as though color blindness is dangerous and potentially harmful.
As individuals, each human being is characterized by their life experiences. Socioeconomic class, geographical location, human interaction, and other such concepts shape people. Arguably, race is also one of these concepts which shapes the experiences one has which influence their individual identity. We live in a society where visual perception of race changes the way others treat you and one's racial identity may culturally influence the way one interacts with their environment. The way one perceives their own race and races unlike themselves influences one's interaction with the world around them and thus marks their identity.
Promoting color blindness seems to be an easy way out. It's a concept of convenience where the dominant race can rid themselves of the guilt they have living in a previously established system which benefits themselves while minority races still suffer. But just because color blindness ignores racial differences doesn't mean they aren't there. To deny the presence and influence of race on people is to deny one's individual identity and the historical actions which have led to racial differences in society. It is not fair nor does it work towards equality in any way. Color blindness is no solution, but rather a convenient ignorance.
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