Stop It. You Are Not Colorblind.

The next time a person tells me that he or she is colorblind, I’m going to ask for the doctor’s note that validates this prognosis.  Otherwise, I’m not going to believe it.  When people profess to be colorblind, they think they are being progressive and politically correct.   In theory, people using this phrase are attempting to communicate, “I’m not racist.  I don’t judge people because of the color of their skin.” However, in reality, this is nearly impossible.  If you grew up in America, and I imagine other places as well, it is virtually impossible for you to not have some form of racial bias.  We all have it.  As such, it is ignorant for anyone to think that he or she is strong enough to overcome the constant conditioning (e.g. through media) of racial stereotypes.

Moreover, to claim one is colorblind, unless medically diagnosed, is simply not true.  Saying that you’re colorblind is like saying when you look at me, you can’t tell that I’m a female.  Let’s be honest folks. You can tell that I’m a female and can see that I am Black.  Some people have argued with me and professed in the nicest possible way, “I don’t see race.  I don’t see you as black, Ronda.  I just see you as a human being.” Let’s break this down.  To tell someone, “I don’t see you as black; I only see you as a human being” implies that the two don’t coexist, meaning it’s impossible to be perceived as both black and human.  It’s like saying, “In spite of your blackness, Ronda, I still see you as human.” Or, “Ronda, I look past your blackness and all of those scary, negative stereotypes so that I can see you as a person.” Huh?!?  This is indeed racist.  Why is my blackness juxtaposed with my humanity? It’s unfortunate that people have an inability to see someone’s difference as a natural part of life.  Hey, I woke up like this.  I was made with my black skin on purpose.  As a pastor once said, “God isn’t colorblind.  He’s color coordinated.” 

In actuality, whenever people are around me, I need them to acknowledge and see me as a black female (my humanity should be a given).  Being a black female comprises my identity.  It is through this lens that I experience the world and the world experiences me.  So people, please stop claiming to be colorblind, accept that you have racial biases, and work on the difficult task of coming to terms with those biases so that you can stop offending people and form more authentic relationships with folks who are different from you.  Saying that you’re colorblind actually affirms racism rather than refutes it.