After almost 400 years of slavery, 60 years of segregation, and 50 years of post-segregation systematic oppression, the idea of equality for African Americans is relatively new. To assume that all racist sentiments and ideals in this "new age" are minimal or non-existent is foolish. To assume that a black man being in the Oval Office is indicative of a complete erasure of racism is also foolish. Racism didn't end, it simply evolved. The new face of racism has evolved from calling black people the n-word to more subtle microaggressions. Microaggressions such as locking your door or clutching your purse when a black person passes, or simply stating that your black friend "doesn't act like other black people." Some might argue that these are harmless gestures with no racial intent, however, they are in fact racial microaggressions based on the idea that black people are an innately violent, primitive, and monolithic race of people.
Now, there are some people who wholeheartedly believe that the solution to this imminent problem of racism is to be "colorblind," and to see everyone as human beings. In a perfect world, it would be feasible to assume that people can erase all hatred and bias out of their hearts. However, the sad truth is, it isn't. Those racist and bigoted people of the era of segregation are still alive. Many of these people have more than likely spread their ideals to their children, and in turn, their grandchildren. As those ideals traveled down their lineage, they evolved into the more subtle racial sentiments we see today. So, to say that you don't see color is to say you don't see the hardships people face because of their color. Black people never asked for people to be "colorblind," all that we asked was to be treated equally, in spite of our color. We are unashamedly black! To be black is to be resilient, to be strong, and to persevere! To see our humanity should be a given, and is something that I already expect from everybody. As sweet as it may be for you to be "colorblind," I'm not gonna applaud anyone for not being a racist. I encourage everyone to see my color as a Black Woman! See it, understand the hardships that I am faced with for being black, be reminded of the pain and tragedy of my people, recognize the progression of my people, and with all of this in mind give me the respect that I deserve! Respect me as more than just a human, but as a black woman. See me as more than just the stereotypes and microaggressions that have been perpetuated for hundreds of years. I am not a welfare queen! I am not ghetto! I am not uneducated!
When we try to avoid and skate around the issues of race, we trivialize the issues that people face because of their race. Taking the middle ground of the situation is counterproductive, and leads people to believe that solution is far simpler than it actually is. If "colorblindness" was the solution to racism, it would have ended a long time ago. I encourage everyone to see color, to appreciate cultural differences, and have a mutual respect for one another while acknowledging these very differences.
