From the Alaska Dispatch News: Racism is the problem, not seeing colors or differences

At first glance, the notion of being colorblind -- or "not seeing race"-- seems like a good thing. Relatedly, the idea of a "melting pot" society -- where we all become one -- looks like a wonderful scenario on the surface. Both of these concepts sound so good, look so attractive, and are so "catchy" that they've become popular buzzwords that almost everyone has come to automatically and uncritically regard as the ideals that we should strive for. They have been easily accepted by many as our vehicle toward the realization of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.

In reality, however, the "colorblind" and "melting pot" ideals have done nothing but to preserve oppressive systems and hide prejudiced attitudes, essentially operating as barriers to truly achieving MLK's dream.

(snip about white denial of disproportionate harassment)

Some of us cannot even think of any rational reason for why people of color would perceive racism and injustice, because -- according to many of our fellow Americans -- we've already made so much progress as a society in eliminating racism that racism is essentially dead. So if racism is dead, we shouldn't even consider racism as a factor anymore. And because racism is no longer relevant, we shouldn't even see race anymore. This is where the notion of colorblindness comes in. And for the many of us who do acknowledge that racism does exist, the typical, quick go-to buzzword of an answer to solve racism is by not seeing race. Being colorblind comes in when someone says something like, "I don't care what your color is, or what race you are ... I don't even see or consider race at all."

But seeing color is not the problem, racism is. Also, seeing color is not the reason racism exists. Even further, seeing color is not racism. Racism is when we regard one color as superior, better, more acceptable, more desirable, and ideal than other colors. So, pretending or choosing to not see color will not solve racism; colorblindness will just ignore racism and maintain it.