The ISMs Project
Colorblindness in the Education System
Racial Color Blindness: Emergence in Education
Authors
- Mia Kawamitsu (Iowa State University)
- Stephanie Leach (Iowa State University)
- Natalee Thompson (Iowa State University)
Abstract
The “Color Blind” ideology has become more prominent as a response to racial discrimination, choosing to focus on individuality while disregarding racial background. Our research focuses on how this view provokes dangerous consequences in the education system in terms of devaluing student diversity and ignoring racial discrimination in an academic setting. This topic was of interest to us as the intentions behind the racial color blind ideology may not be entirely malicious, but rather an issue regarding lack of racial awareness. Through our research, we found the practice of racial color blindness allows people to misinterpret the world around them by being unaware that marginalization exists in society. Our solutions to this issue include implementing a multiculturalism approach in the classroom to build cultural competency so people can identify acts of racial discrimination when it occurs.