A Colorblind World featured Barack Obama’s 2009 address to NAACP

Introduction:

Racial conflicts are often uncomfortable to discuss due to the controversy and turmoil sparked between two or more parties. Because of this, here in the 21st century racism still exists. Discrimination, segregation, and biases towards particular ethnic groups are evident among many crowds. There are many ideas that have been constructed to address the issues on race relations here in the United States. The newest tactic relies on colorblindness. Colorblindness, is a noun that has several meanings that vary based of it contexts. It could mean a vision deficiency, which is the decreased ability to see color or differences in color. This definition refers to the complete inability to distinguish colors of the spectrum. To the naked eye, objects only appear as shades of gray, black, and white, while the shades may vary depending on lightness and darkness. Colorblindness, in a cultural context, can also be referred to as race blindness. This is a sociological term indicates the disregard of racial characteristics when making a conscious or unconscious decision. Typically, colorblind operations such employment, including: hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, trainings or benefits use no racial data or profiling and make no classifications, categorizations, or distinctions based upon race. It was because of those that chose to be colorblind, the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granted African American men the right to vote by declaring that the “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (library of Congress). Although the amendment was ratified in 1870, it still took decades for all states to recognize and obey the law.

Today, we see issues of colorblindness surrounding the most recent NFL protest that sparked due to Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers starting quarter back, sitting three games in a row during the National Anthem in August 2016. Prior to the fourth game, Kaepernick agreed to meet with Army Veteran, Nate Boyer, to discuss his position on the issue. From there, the two agreed that it would be best if Kaepernick kneeled during this time, which would be seen as less offensive towards the military and the country and a whole. Kaepernick released a statement saying, this movement is not to disrespect the military or the flag, it’s to bring awareness to racial inequality African American are face in the United States. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder” (NFL.com). One year later, the movement has grasped the attention of millions with the trending hashtag #TakeAKnee. Many NFL teams have joined together in solidarity to take a knee together. The Dallas Cowboys, led by owner Jerry Jones, took a knee prior to the national anthem on September 25, 2017. These, along with many others from various ethnic backgrounds like Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins), Seth DeValve (Cleveland Browns), and Michael Thomas (Denver Broncos). These men are the modern day example of reformers that are united, not by color but cause.

One reaction to confronting racism is to deny it by using colorblindness. The idea of “not seeing color” or not recognizing when an outcome or a situation is handled differently due to the color of a person’s skin is because colorblindness is in effect.

At its face value, colorblindness may seem like it is a good thing, however, it is the very thing that is limiting our attention from problematic situations. Colorblindness stands as a harmful mythology that impacts our judgement and decision making.

We know that colorblindness exist because of the reactions to the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. The Democratic senator from Illinois became the first sitting senator since John Kennedy in 1960 to be elected. Headlines captured the historic moment all over the world. The New York Times even mentions, “Sweeping away the last racial barrier in American politics with ease as the country chose him as its first black chief executive” (Nagourney). By doing this they openly acknowledged that there are racial barriers in America and President Obama has dismembered the last standing one. This just so happen to not be the case. Racial barriers exist on all economic levels and all characteristics. From politics, to religion, and ethnicity, President Obama being elected did not change the racial divide in the country. Some may even argue that his election further divided the country because of his race.

President Obama knew the risks involved in running for office. He knew he would be faced with a mission that many people thought impossible. The likelihood of an African American man becoming president of the United States seemed far out of reach, history has shown us that. However, President Obama confronted racism by seeking to end less visible ways racism is practiced. January 2009, President Barack Obama signed his first piece of legislation into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This legislative fix allowed individuals who are subjected to unlawful pay discrimination are able to effectively assert their rights. As a result, employers must have a strong incentive to eliminate any discriminatory compensation practices, individuals are able to challenge continuing pay discrimination, and employees are allowed to assess the validity of their claims (NWLC). This bill on wage discrimination had been on the NAACP’s priority list since 2007 when the US Supreme Court handed down the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. President Obama also confronted racism head on by speaking to the NAACP about colorblindness. On 16 July 2009 President Obama addressed the NAACP for their 100th anniversary centennial convention in New York City. With many notable figures present, NAACP leaders from across the country journeyed to New York – a city filled with historical civil rights moments beginning with the foundation of the NAACP. This speech signified: the presence and impact the NAACP has made over the last 100 years, the difference made when those with power hold themselves to a higher standard to fight for things that may often be controversial or cause turmoil, and the work that we as Americans must continue to do.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also known as the NAACP, was formed to ensure the “political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination” (NAACP.org). The NAACP stands today as the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization. The NAACP takes the approach on being color conscious. They do this by ensuring “the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination” as stated in their mission statement (NAACP.org). In the early 1900’s “white liberals that included Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard, both the descendants of abolitionists, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz issued a call for a meeting to discuss racial justice” (NAACP.org). They chose to be color conscious by familiarizing themselves with the racial injustices African Americans faced. They used their platform and voice along with many other prominent black figures such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Mary Church Terrel to foster growth while eliminating race prejudice. Many of these figures are discussed in Obamas address to the NAACP where he says, people like W. E. B Du Bois and those mentioned are “reformers united, not by color but cause”.

Obama’s speech 2009 speech to the NAACP is significant because it opened up the conversation on race relations and colorblindness here in the United States. Having been in the office a little over eight months, Obama has seen all sides of the spectrum from what it means to be colorblind. This speech provides the depth and clarity of the location, time and audience. This marked the 100th anniversary of the convention. Given right in the heart of New York City where the NAACP was formed, many protesters marched those same streets side-by-side to demand equal treatment under the law. This speech serves as symbol for the gratitude and success made by those that came before. It is also the shift towards inclusiveness, one that we all as Americans seek regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Colorblindness is another way to politely turn a blind eye to a situation that needs you at the front and center. Difference such as economic or political ones may very well be the source of how to you can shape the conversation.

The President begins his speech by saying, “what we celebrate tonight is not simply the journey the NAACP has traveled, but the journey that we as Americans have traveled over the past one hundred years”. By acknowledging that the speech was not entirely for those that are part of NAACP or have any affiliations with the organization, the President allowed the conversation to spread among all Americans. He does this knowing that those in that room alone cannot fix the conversation on colorblindness. Obama’s call to action rhetoric speaks to every minority and majority by providing steps on how to acquire effective change in the world.

He calls on black parents by saying, change starts with them. Change starts at home by “putting away the Xbox and putting the kids to bed at a reasonable hour”. He also tells black children that growing up poor is no reason to get bad grades. By explicitly spelling out what needs to be done, Obama is effectively able to connect with both the young and older generations. Here in America, change derives from its people, the very citizens he says “that protested lynching, rallied against violence, and walked instead of taking the bus”. These are the people that must have the same drive and sense of urgency and recognize that many conflicts are dealt with differently due to a person’s race, color, or ethnicity. It’s being “color conscious” that will help not only help strengthen the conversation on race but it will also help bridge the barriers that still remain. Obama says we are already on the road to tearing down obstacles by making housing more affordable and even giving ex-offenders a second chance.