My reaction to "Colorblindness is the New Racism"

 

     In "Colorblindness is the New Racism," Margalynne J. Armstrong and Stephanie M. Wildman argue that color insight rather than colorblindness needs to be our approach to thinking about race. They strongly agree with Allan G. Johnson about the elephant in the room regarding discussing race and that we need to use the vocabulary even if it is difficult and uncomfortable.  For too long whites have ignored the fact that they are white and their whiteness gives them privilege.  Even white who describe themselves as not prejudice can't show an understanding of privilege if they don't or won't see the oppression of blacks.  The authors state "The emphasis of discrimination alone, as if existed in a vacuum, obscures the operation of privilege, thus aiding in its perpetuation.  In order to change the societies perspective and the continuance of these discriminatory ways we need to encourage others to think and talk about the realities of privilege and oppression.




     According to Armstrong and Wildman "Color Insight does not provide a magic wand that dispenses with racism, but it does offer a vocabulary and some significant points of entry for deeper conversations". (p.76)  Color insight is the exact opposite of colorblindness.  Believing colorblindness would promote equality, many whites felt this showed they were not prejudice but it just showed the failure to recognize their own white privilege.  This colorblindness continues the "centuries of racism and white privilege". (p.66)  The authors go on to explain "Society cannot battle a phantom that in cannot recognize and name."  (p. 67)  As Johnson discussed, as hard as it is to use the words and talk about racism or any other of the -isms for that matter, it must be done if we want it to change.  He explained "So instead of talking about racism and sexism that plague people's lives, people talk about "diversity" and "tolerance" and "appreciating difference".  (Johnson p.12)  These  are positive words and trying to put a different spin on the problems at hand.  We need to get people talking about these problems using the uncomfortable language needed to change it.  Color insight needs to replace colorblindness to move things forward.  "Color insight requires practitioners to observe, discuss, and analyze the operation of race and privilege in contemporary society".  In order to participate, one must recognize privilege and oppression and have and understanding of societies ideas regarding privilege.

     The classroom is an important place to discuss racial inequality and privilege versus oppression.  Providing instances to observe racialization in the "real world".  In one assignment the authors suggest having students "notice the racial composition" of their environment for twenty-four hours.  "Through reading and discussing the observations,students learn a bit more about privilege".  I found it most interesting that after doing the previous exercise "students report that they notice more in the weeks following the exercise".  Their eyes were opened to something that previously went unnoticed.  Another powerful activity "inspired by the work of Kendall and Ansley, asks each student to consider themselves in relation to a power line that separates privileged and non-privileged categories".  Students looked at each different category and whether it fell above or below the line.  With each above the live some sort of privilege was attached.  In contrast, for each "below the line" attribute some privilege was removed or oppressed.  Both activities are provide impactful ways of getting students to examine a difficult subject and get the conversation started.  Awareness can be the first step in creating change.

"Black Lives Matter"

     As a white woman, who does not consider herself prejudice, I didn't understand why "All Lives Matter" was not a better alternative to not offend anybody.  In my mind, this was fair to Asians, Hispanics, Indians, Muslims, and any other non-white who may not be treated fairly based an their race or skin color.  Our society does send messages of "all lives matter" but the "black lives matter" really means black lives should matter as much as white lives or any other lives.  Black people continue to be oppressed in many ways and are not treated equally.  So instead of assuming the slogan meant "only black lives matter" people need to understand that without acknowledging "black lives matter" we are continuing to ignore the problem. (Roose)

     In Joey Salad's social experiment in the video clip he goes to a "white neighborhood" he's holding a "Black Lives Matter" sign.  Many of the white people who answer him do say they support it but they don't want blacks segregated into a group because "all lives matter".  The people do not really take offense or get angry with him even if they don't agree with him.  They don't care because they aren't affected.  They know their lives matter, because they live with white privilege every day.  However, when he goes to a "black neighborhood" with his "All Lives Matter" sign he is met with very hostile, negative results.  The black people take offense and take the message to mean white lives matter more.  They see it as negative because it isn't showing the injustice and inequality of "black lives" in this white privilege culture.  One man gets extremely upset to the point of using violence toward Joey.  The black people are more enraged because the "All Lives Matter" sign seems to negate their cause.  I wonder if the results would be any different if Joey was a black man standing in each neighborhood with the same signs?