Growing up in a relatively small, conservative town on the outskirts of Houston, the phrases, “I don’t see color,” “I am colorblind” or “there is one race: the human race” was often thrown around by my fellow peers. Even in a big city like Dallas and in the halls of Hockaday, these phrases roam.
Whether you’ve heard it being used or not, this idea that someone is not racist because he or she does not register skin color at all, is extremely popular within young people. Celebrities like Cara Delevingne have posted variations of this ideology on social media, which has resulted in a few heated conversations in the comments section. One that I saw went down like this:
Person #1: Wow, this is so great. I agree with this, Cara!
Person #2: @Person#1 some lengthy paragraph that Person #1 won’t read because the first word is already a curse word aimed at them
In this post, I hope to educate you on this topic. If I offend you or didn’t do the job, leave me a note or something–my locker number is #653.
In my opinion, the idea that there are no differences amongst us is created by people to use because they are uncomfortable with racial and cultural differences. I do believe most people that say this mean no harm, so if you’re one of those people, here comes the schooling, or should i say, eye examing: Please, stop saying this. It’s actually pretty high-key racist.
When people think of the word “racism,” most of the time, only gruesome images and unfortunate incidents come up. Black men and women murdered for the sole fact that they’re black? Racism. A young, practicing Islam arrested for bringing a clock to school? Racism. Donald Trump’s “all Mexicans are bad” theory? Racism.
I’m not trying to take away from how horrible those facts are, but we need to keep in mind that racism isn’t always a news headline. Obviously, just saying one of these phrases isn’t racist: it’s the result that it triggers.
With this erasure of color comes the deletion of that person’s culture, experiences and struggles – all the factors that ultimately make up a person of color’s individuality. To be colorblind is to rid that person of their identity. In a progressing world, this way of thinking takes everything ten steps back. To truly coexist, one must accept and acknowledge all the differences and struggles of others, especially if they will never experience it.
All people, not just people of color, are bound to get hurt walking around in the dark. Instead of shielding out these conversations and trying to reach the idea of “we are all the same person,” have a conversation. It’s important to acknowledge the different dynamics of each individual. We can live in unison without all being uniform.
If you “don’t see color,” you should get your eyes checked.
Commentaries are the expressed opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of The Fourcast staff, its adviser or any member of the Hockaday community.
Cheryl Hao – Asst. Castoff Editor
