Color-blindness - Revision history

Andreatodd: removed the "this appropriates actual colorblindness [...]" part. i was the one who originally added it, & now i believe it was whitesplaining of me & not my place to make that claim. i apologize.

2012-10-13T14:57:38Z

removed the "this appropriates actual colorblindness [...]" part. i was the one who originally added it, & now i believe it was whitesplaining of me & not my place to make that claim. i apologize.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 13 October 2012
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	'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant. "I don't even notice race!"		'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant. "I don't even notice race!"

	It should be noted that this use of the term appropriates actual colorblindness, and associates the disability with all the oppression encompassed by the "I don't see race" use of the term (see below).

	==Critique==		==Critique==

173.44.93.126: added part about the ableist appropriation of this use of "colorblind".

2011-03-21T07:06:39Z

added part about the ableist appropriation of this use of "colorblind".

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:06, 21 March 2011
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	'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant. "I don't even notice race!"		'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant. "I don't even notice race!"

			It should be noted that this use of the term appropriates actual colorblindness, and associates the disability with all the oppression encompassed by the "I don't see race" use of the term (see below).

	==Critique==		==Critique==

Lquilter: cats

2010-11-11T17:19:52Z

cats

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 11 November 2010
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	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}

	[[Category:~~Theory~~]]		[[Category:Feminism and critical theory]]
	[[Category:~~Racism~~]]		[[Category:Race, ethnicity, and racism]]
	{{seed}}		{{seed}}

Lquilter: /* Critique */ what follows

2008-04-14T15:39:36Z

Critique: what follows

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	This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.		This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.

			The following arguments frequently follow: People of color are just too sensitive; they bring it on themselves by constantly charging racism; this is a type of [[reverse racism]]; you are simply trying to be [[politically correct]] and police my language.

	; If we all pretend race and racism don't exist, white people can finally lay the ugly past to rest		; If we all pretend race and racism don't exist, white people can finally lay the ugly past to rest

Lquilter: /* Critique */ fmt

2008-04-14T15:37:17Z

Critique: fmt

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	; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist		; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist
	When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I didn't even ''notice'' your race!" This is intended to refute ''any possible suggestion of racism'' on the part of the white person, and generally serves to dismiss any discussion of racism at all, including systemic racism. ~~For~~ example, Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>		When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I didn't even ''notice'' your race!" This is intended to refute ''any possible suggestion of racism'' on the part of the white person, and generally serves to dismiss any discussion of racism at all, including systemic racism.

			One example: Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>

	This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.		This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.

Lquilter: /* Critique */ more

2008-04-14T15:36:34Z

Critique: more

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:36, 14 April 2008
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	; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist		; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist
	When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I didn't even ''notice'' your race!" For example, Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>		When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I didn't even ''notice'' your race!" This is intended to refute ''any possible suggestion of racism'' on the part of the white person, and generally serves to dismiss any discussion of racism at all, including systemic racism. For example, Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>

	This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.		This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.

Lquilter: /* Critique */ notice

2008-04-14T15:35:07Z

Critique: notice

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 14 April 2008
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	; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist		; "Blame the victim" -- Mentioning racism ''is'' racist
	When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I ~~don~~'t even ~~see race; I~~'m ''~~color-blind~~''." For example, Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>		When discussions are so framed, raising the issue of racism can be treated as if that itself was racist. Pointing out the possibility or appearance of racism -- whether intentional, subconscious, or systemic -- is treated as "injecting race" into the discussion. This assertion, of course, presumes the discussion had previously been free of the issue of race and racism. The white person can say, "But I didn't even ''notice'' your race!" For example, Dawn Butler, a Black female MP from South Brent in the UK Parliament, noted that a white male MP, on meeting her for the first time, had tried to prevent her from entering a MP-only space, and then when corrected, told a colleague, "They're letting anybody in nowadays." She correctly observed that racism and sexism informed his comments and expectations. He countered, not by disputing the facts of the situation, but by conflating politeness with non-racism: <blockquote>But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'<ref name="HillRevill-2008">Amelia Hill & Jo Revill, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/13/race.houseofcommons "Racism Rife in Commons, Says MP"], ''London Guardian'' / ''Observer'', April 13, 2008 (quoting Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells).</ref></blockquote>

	This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.		This assertion is responsive only to a charge of intentional, conscious racism that manifests through rudeness. It is wholly non-responsive to other manifestations of racism, or to aspects of [[systemic racism]] or even subconscious racism. "[T]hey are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated."<ref name="HillRevill-2008" /> Framed this way, asserting the existence of racism is the problem -- not the possible or actual presence of racism.

Lquilter: i don't even notice race

2008-04-14T15:34:08Z

i don't even notice race

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:34, 14 April 2008
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	'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant.		'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant. "I don't even notice race!"

	==Critique==		==Critique==

Lquilter: /* Relation to -blindness / fix typo

2008-04-13T16:17:37Z

Relation to *-blindness: fix typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 13 April 2008
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	The notion of *-blindness can be applied to many, perhaps most or all, forms of oppression. In each case, it is presented as a goal that all should strive to achieve; while in practice, it serves to (a) establish the oppressor's class as the default, and mark the oppressed class as standing out; (b) shift the focus from the oppressive acts and attitudes, and the oppressor's acts and attitudes; and (c) finally permit shifting the blame, or at least equalizing it, from the oppressing class to the oppressed class.		The notion of *-blindness can be applied to many, perhaps most or all, forms of oppression. In each case, it is presented as a goal that all should strive to achieve; while in practice, it serves to (a) establish the oppressor's class as the default, and mark the oppressed class as standing out; (b) shift the focus from the oppressive acts and attitudes, and the oppressor's acts and attitudes; and (c) finally permit shifting the blame, or at least equalizing it, from the oppressing class to the oppressed class.

	See, for example, [[gender-blindness]] and [[heteronormativity]]. For an amazing [[SFnal]] take on a type of o[[gender-blindness]], see [[Raphael Carter]], [["Congenital Agenesis of Gender Ideation"]] (1998).		See, for example, [[gender-blindness]] and [[heteronormativity]]. For an amazing [[SFnal]] take on a type of [[gender-blindness]], see [[Raphael Carter]], [["Congenital Agenesis of Gender Ideation"]] (1998).

	==References==		==References==

Lquilter: /* Criticism */ que

2008-04-13T16:16:51Z

Criticism: que

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:16, 13 April 2008
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	'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant.		'''Color-blindness''' is a concept that refers to people behaving and living as if there were no race or ethnicity, or as if race / ethnicity were irrelevant.

	==~~Criticism~~==		==Critique==
	Sometimes framed as a normative goal -- "the way to end racism is for all of us to be color-blind" -- the concept has come under significant criticism from activists involved in so-called [[identity politics]], and from [[anti-racist]] theorists and activists. In these critiques, the notion is considered a liberal white fantasy that erases people's individual differences and valuable experiences.		Sometimes framed as a normative goal -- "the way to end racism is for all of us to be color-blind" -- the concept has come under significant criticism from activists involved in so-called [[identity politics]], and from [[anti-racist]] theorists and activists. In these critiques, the notion is considered a liberal white fantasy that erases people's individual differences and valuable experiences.