9.4b. Color-blind Racism

Color-blind racism ignores racial differences and conflict and is more subtle than overt racism (Bonilla-Silva, 2015). Color-blind racism denies that race and racism matter. For example, beliefs in a meritocracy that promise hard work will lead to success, dismiss racial barriers in education. These barriers include that Black students are twice as often in under-resourced schools compared to White students (Baker et al., 2024). People commonly use statements such as “I don’t see color” or “I’m not a racist, but…” in color-blind racist conversations. They are also examples of racial microaggressions because they dismiss the experiences of people of color.

Photo 9.12

Color-Blind Racism Ignores the Barriers Black Students Face in Education