On numerous social media websites, I have seen posts circulating about people claiming that they "do not see color" regarding race. This means that the said person sharing the message is claiming that they are not looking at another person for their skin color, and instead just looking at them as another human. I do not see this gesture as kindly looking beyond race, but rather dismissing it.

The notion of looking beyond color is a poor attempt to promote equality. No one would tell a white person that "they don't see color" because the white race isn't systematically oppressed, so why are we promoting this message to people of color? I'm sorry, but you are doing no favors by telling minorities that you don't see color. Typically, it is the already privileged white people parading around to minorities that the are dismissing their color. Color shouldn't be distracting enough to have that mental conversation with yourself. Various skin colors serve as a great reminder that we are all different. "Different" is not a metaphor for "bad."

Skin color is prominent, relevant, and clearly not going away. Making a conscious effort to dismiss color is problematic in itself because you're recognizing that different skin colors do exist, and somehow still wanting to be blind to it. Skin color represents someone's heritage and race, and that should't be masked. Take off your metaphorical goggles, and embrace the fact the people around you are different.

If you want to convey that you aren't racist, perhaps use a different combination of words.