“I don’t see color…”
How colorblindness can continue to promote racism, even if your intention is well.
The U.S. is a racialized society. Our systems use race to create constructs and rationalize laws that are rooted in oppression, privilege, and power. Although we all come from one race, the human race, our world divides us into designated racial groups depending on the color of our skin and our physical attributes. This same division is what continues to promote certain groups of people to be racially superior, and others inferior.
Despite this, the misguided notion that race doesn't matter anymore is quite common in our society today. As a black person, it is common to hear the response "I don't see color” or other variations of the phrase when trying to clarify something relating to your life or identity.
You might wonder what's wrong with saying, “I don’t see color.” Let's dissect this statement and its implications.
Race and identity go hand in hand. Racial identity can be imposed by others depending on how they see you. Racial identity could also be how you internally identify yourself. So why is race so important? Because understanding how you walk in this world directly impacts your experiences, whether that is coming from a privileged standpoint or from a disadvantaged position.
First of all, let's talk about racism.
The topic of race can be a touchy conversation. Despite this, it is vital to discuss it. Contrary to popular belief, Racism or racial discrimination is not a thing of the past. If race and racism are indeed behind us, why then do people give disclaimers before uttering specific sentences?
There are different types of racism, as racism can appear in different ways. Some can come as microaggressions; some are blatant, harmful, and intentional words or actions toward a person of color due to another person’s biases. Racism is a system of advantage, and there are different levels to it.
Individual racism comes from your own beliefs, attitudes, and actions that promote acts of racism, whether you are conscious of it or not. Examples include believing in white superiority or having negative assumptions about a person because of their race.
Interpersonal racism happens in relationships. These are external ways of expressing prejudice and racism. Examples of these are racial slurs, exclusion, or hate.
Systemic racism is the racism that occurs in institutions and organizations that perpetuate the oppression of minorities. Most times, it exists not so invisibly in systems. These institutions do not take into account individual needs. Still, they operate in a way that even if racism is not overt, it keeps people of color in adversity and continues to perpetuate. Examples of these are redlining, prison sentencing, and social segregation. Racism does not exist in individual acts of meanness.
Color-Blindness and Racism
Color blindness is the racial ideology that submits that the best way to end discrimination is by treating individuals as equally as possible, without regard to race, culture, or ethnicity.
While this sounds great in theory, in actuality, it is very faulty. The question that begs an answer is, do we really not see skin color as we claim? or are we just telling ourselves that?
Phrases that precipitate the colorblind ideology include but are not limited to:
" All lives matter"
"I don't see color. I see humans."
"We're all just people."
How does the colorblind ideology promote racism?
The colorblind approach is an excuse to deny uncomfortable cultural differences. When you claim not to see color, you claim not to see any challenges posed against people of color. How, then, can we combat racism when you’re not acknowledging it?
For people of color, their skin color is significant because they experience racism on a daily basis. Most people do not understand that the expression "I don't see color" and other words that can promote racism are counterproductive to the efforts of diversity and inclusion. Agreeing that you do not see color is the same as agreeing that you do not see a problem.
The phrase “I don’t see color” may be uttered with the mindset that “I treat everyone equally.” This seems like a well-meaning statement uttered by allies, but it is also used by people to convince themselves that they are not racially biased. Notwithstanding the intent of the statement, the result is the refusal to accept the identity of people of color. Besides, It is most often an attempt to avoid the feelings of distress that come up at the mention of race.
In combating racism, the goal is not to be color blind. The goal is to recognize the injustices and change them. Pretending not to see race does not automatically evaporate the issues of race. As a matter of fact, sociologists posit that ideologies claiming not to see race risk ignoring discrimination. This can affect self-esteem, as the relationship between race and self-esteem has been proven.
Racial awareness
If you look at a person of color and you don’t see the color of their skin, you probably don’t see them at all because race and identity go hand in hand. Racial awareness means recognizing the unique experiences of members of marginalized communities. Understand that their stories are not heard in society, and work towards respecting their differences.
Admittedly, white privilege can make it difficult to recognize racism. The term white privilege frequently comes up in discussions about racism. It refers to the implicit societal advantages accorded to white people as opposed to those who predominantly experience racism.
Being in a position where you go through life never experiencing or considering the issue of color or racial identity is, in essence, the description of white privilege. To be more aware of privilege, it is important to reflect on it and to see society systemically and structurally instead of just in terms of individuals making individual choices. And notably, having white privilege does not automatically make one racist. However, it is vital to identify the inherent advantages that come with these privileges and are unavailable to other races. Understanding how your race in this world directly impacts your experiences, whether from a privileged standpoint or a disadvantaged position.
With all of this information, now what? Here are a few active steps to start your journey toward awareness.
Recognize that Modern-Day Racism Exists
It is easy to assume that anti-discrimination laws have automatically eradicated racism from society when you're not at the receiving end of it. However, numerous surveys and valid experiences of people of color show this isn’t true. Minorities still experience a great deal of prejudice and discrimination. Minorities are less likely to receive employment offers, are judged more harshly for crimes committed, and are still treated with suspicion in public places.
Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that discrimination is still prevailing. Recognizing that modern racism exists is the first step toward awareness and creating positive change.
Understand your own identity and explore your own biases - you have them.
In this journey of awareness, you need to check in with yourself. In actuality, people who claim they’re never biased are the most likely to be biased. Yes, racism can also exist in your own race. It is imperative to reflect on your personal prejudice and your bias blind spot. There are inherently some thoughts we are unaware of, and that same lack of awareness will contribute to our society’s disconnection and lack of progress. Here is a helpful sheet that can help determine where you are in the racial identity model. Here is a helpful sheet that can help with figuring out where you are in the racial identity model.
Self-reflection may result in feelings of guilt and shame, but it is important to realize that everyone has biases.
3. Instead of getting defensive, explore where your emotions are coming from.
Practice self-reflection even if it might reveal some uncomfortable truths. You can confront your blind spots through a journal, reflection questions, or with a therapist. If you're struggling on your journey, A licensed mental health professional can assist you in identifying the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors you’d like to change and also provide additional resources that can help you grow.
Moreover, it is difficult not to get defensive when other people start challenging your thoughts and beliefs. I encourage you to take a step back and check to see if this is an invitation to work on something for yourself.
4. Educate, educate, educate.
There is always room for growth. We are afraid of what we don’t know, and knowledge is power. Strive for racial literacy, Learn the history of racism and discrimination, and be conscious about understanding the experiences others face today. Read up on books, articles, and other resources to better understand how race impacts you and others. Be willing to listen to the experiences, situations, and stories of other people with an open mind.
What to say instead of " I don't see color"
Start by fully acknowledging the race and identity of individuals; acknowledge their struggles as a person of color. It is important to understand that even if your intention is coming from the right place, the IMPACT of your actions on a person of color can have the opposite effect. When you say, " I don't see color," you're ignoring racism, not discouraging it. No matter our race, we all want to be treated as humans and recognized for who we are. Colorblindness is contrary to this. It's choosing not to acknowledge the pain and struggle that has historically shaped the experiences of BIPOC and formed their racial identity.
To learn more about ways to take care of your mental health, contact Camille at camille@diversifiedtherapyla.com
