Trending Topics

7 Things Your Colorblind Racist Friend Might Say to You and How to Respond

affirmative-action-color-blind

Colorblind

What they say:

“People are just people.”  “I don’t see color.”  “We’re all just human.”   “Character, not color, is what counts with me.”

Response:

“Colorblindness” negates the cultural values, norms, expectations and life experiences of people of color. Even if an individual white person can ignore a person’s skin color, society does not.

Claiming to be “colorblind” can also be a defense when someone is afraid to discuss racism, especially if the assumption is that all conversation about race or color is racist.  Color consciousness does not equal racism.

Back to top