Reflecting on Colorblindness is the New Racism

Colorblindness is the New Racism by Margalynne J. Armstrong and Stephanie M. Wildman discusses the importance of shifting our terminology from colorblindness to color insight. The term colorblind arose from Plessy v. Ferguson which proposed colorblindness as a constitutional principle that prohibited segregation on public transportation. The court rejected the term, but it recirculated again during the "U.S Supreme Courts decision involving challenges to affirmative action programs under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment". I was taken back as I continued reading the rest of this paragraph; learning that White plantiffs were suing to end programs that promoted inclusion of people of color in education and employment opportunities. It was horrifying that the weight of the word colorblind only became heavy when the context involved White people having a disadvantage. 

This alarming fact, I feel, contrasted well with Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson when he referenced Rodney King and made his own statement that "you'd think we could treat each other with decency and respect and appreciate if not support the best we have in us". Instead decades later, our society still can't figure out how to get along. It's disheartening and embarrassing! I don't understand how the lack of empathy and fairness is so detached from society. Which leads to the theory that color insight is the antidote to colorblindness. The authors explain that color insight "admits that most of us do see race and underlines the need to understand what that racial awareness might mean". This new term "better serves the purported goals of colorblindness: racial equality and justice".

Ironically, in my previous blog I wondered if society would have a different perspective of white privilege if we changed the terminology to white immunity. No, this doesn't mean we are avoiding the topic like an "elephant in the room" illustrated by Johnson; or that changing the words will be a "magic wand solution". Rather, "it offers a vocabulary and some significant points of entry for deeper conversations". But sadly, despite this chapter being published in 2013, I don't believe anything has improved. A google search of "color insight" promotes finding your wardrobes color palette and haircare products. I don't see anything referencing equality. Check it out here. Additionally, a search comparing color insight with color blindness only produces results related to eyes: here. Attorney General Eric Holder said it best: "the U.S is a nation of cowards in the face of discussing race with one another". 

I did enjoy the techniques this chapter shared to bring the topic of race into the classrooms. I completed the Power Line Chart and found I fit into four categories above and below. The Racial Observation Exercise made me think about my two most recent air line travels. The first trip, I was traveling to Pittsburg with my daughter, Cora. When we got to security I told officer that Cora couldn't go through the metal detectors because of she has cochlear implants. They never asked me for her birth certificate or checked her boarding pass. We were escorted through and it struck me as odd because my daughter's dad wasn't with me and they don't know if we were in a custody battle or something. I didn't think much into it after that, until we were returning home. I told the security officer the same thing but this time they checked her boarding pass. Unfortunately, the boarding pass stated Cora Collins. My daughter has her father's last name not mine. I had to go back to the front and have her pass updated. The officer still didn't care to see the birth certificate and neither did the front desk! On our second trip to  Florida, neither security officer requested to see Cora's boarding pass or birth certificate; each time I had it in my hand ready to go. It never occurred to me that I was experiencing privilege. Now, I can't help but wonder how my interactions would have been if I was a woman of color or if I identified as a lesbian. Feel free to share an "ah-ha" moment that you recently had in the comments!!