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Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity
"It's a great book. I highly, highly, highly recommend it." --Tavis Smiley
In this powerful follow-up to Between Barack and a Hard Place, Tim Wise argues against “colorblindness” and for a deeper color-consciousness in both public and private practice. We can only begin to move toward authentic social and economic equity through what Wise calls "illuminated individualism"—acknowledging the diverse identities that have shaped our perceptions, and the role that race continues to play in the maintenance of disparities between whites and people of color in the United States today. This is the first book to discuss the pitfalls of “colorblindness” in the Obama era.
In this powerful follow-up to Between Barack and a Hard Place, Tim Wise argues against “colorblindness” and for a deeper color-consciousness in both public and private practice. We can only begin to move toward authentic social and economic equity through what Wise calls "illuminated individualism"—acknowledging the diverse identities that have shaped our perceptions, and the role that race continues to play in the maintenance of disparities between whites and people of color in the United States today. This is the first book to discuss the pitfalls of “colorblindness” in the Obama era.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
74 people are currently reading
2093 people want to read
About the author
Tim Wise
22 books507 followersTim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S., and has been called the foremost white anti-racist intellectual in the nation, having spoken in 46 states, and on over 300 college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, Cal Tech and the Law Schools at Yale, Columbia, Michigan, and Vanderbilt.
From 1999 to 2003, Wise served as an advisor to the Fisk University Race Relations Institute and in the early 90s was Associate Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism: the group credited by many with the political defeat of white nationalist, David Duke. His anti-racism efforts have been termed revolutionary by NYU professor and award-winning author, Robin D.G. Kelley, and have also earned praise from such noted race scholars as Michael Eric Dyson, Kimberl Crenshaw, Derrick Bell, Joe Feagin, Lani Guinier, and Richard Delgado.
Tim Wise is now the Director of the newly-formed Association for White Anti-Racist Education (AWARE) in Nashville, Tennessee. He lectures across the country about the need to combat institutional racism, gender bias, and the growing gap between rich and poor in the U.S. Wise has been called a "leftist extremist" by David Duke, "deceptively Aryan-looking" by a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and "the Uncle Tom of the white race," by right-wing author, Dinesh D' Souza. Whatever else can be said about him, his ability to make the right kind of enemies seems unquestioned.
Wise is a featured columnist with the ZNet Commentary program: a web service that disseminates essays by prominent progressive and radical activists and educators. His writings are taught at hundreds of colleges and have appeared in dozens of popular and professional journals. Wise serves as the Race and Ethnicity Editor for LIP Magazine, and articles about his work have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle.
He has contributed to three recent anthologiesWhen Race Becomes Real: Black and White Writers Confront Their Personal Histories (Chicago Review Press, Jan 2004); Should America Pay (HarperAmistad, 2003), a compilation of essays concerning slavery and its aftermath; and The Power of Non-Violence (Beacon Press, 2002)."
From 1999 to 2003, Wise served as an advisor to the Fisk University Race Relations Institute and in the early 90s was Associate Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism: the group credited by many with the political defeat of white nationalist, David Duke. His anti-racism efforts have been termed revolutionary by NYU professor and award-winning author, Robin D.G. Kelley, and have also earned praise from such noted race scholars as Michael Eric Dyson, Kimberl Crenshaw, Derrick Bell, Joe Feagin, Lani Guinier, and Richard Delgado.
Tim Wise is now the Director of the newly-formed Association for White Anti-Racist Education (AWARE) in Nashville, Tennessee. He lectures across the country about the need to combat institutional racism, gender bias, and the growing gap between rich and poor in the U.S. Wise has been called a "leftist extremist" by David Duke, "deceptively Aryan-looking" by a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and "the Uncle Tom of the white race," by right-wing author, Dinesh D' Souza. Whatever else can be said about him, his ability to make the right kind of enemies seems unquestioned.
Wise is a featured columnist with the ZNet Commentary program: a web service that disseminates essays by prominent progressive and radical activists and educators. His writings are taught at hundreds of colleges and have appeared in dozens of popular and professional journals. Wise serves as the Race and Ethnicity Editor for LIP Magazine, and articles about his work have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle.
He has contributed to three recent anthologiesWhen Race Becomes Real: Black and White Writers Confront Their Personal Histories (Chicago Review Press, Jan 2004); Should America Pay (HarperAmistad, 2003), a compilation of essays concerning slavery and its aftermath; and The Power of Non-Violence (Beacon Press, 2002)."
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December 18, 2012
(6/10) In this book Tim Wise finally decides to step up to the plate and take a swing at Obama, in the most respectful and definitely-not-racist way possible. His thesis here is that Obama represents a trend in liberal thought away from specific attention to racial issues via affirmitive action and such towards what Wise calls "colorblind universalism", which focuses on creating universally beneficial public programs.
This is a real phenomenon, and Wise cites a number of influential authors whose ideology falls squarely into this category. But this all seems to be happening on the level of public ideology -- the official mask of liberalism -- and not actual action. I would love it if Obama and the Democrats were actually attempting to build public social institutions, no matter how colourblind they are, but their actions in power have been to further demolish what's left of these institutions and shunt progressive energy into the masquerade of health insurance reform. The problem with the current political order isn't that it's dominated by liberal idealism, but rather by the neoliberal cynicism on display in the current budget "Grand Bargain".
Again, Wise does have a point here, specifically about Obama's eagerness to distance himself from black issues. Even so, I still feel that a non-cruel and universal welfare system would benefit African-Americans a lot more than, say, specifically-targeted college spaces for black students. But the larger issue is that Wise mistakes the public image projected by Obama and company for their actual actions, a mistake which only furthers the smoke and mirrors of liberal politics.
This is a real phenomenon, and Wise cites a number of influential authors whose ideology falls squarely into this category. But this all seems to be happening on the level of public ideology -- the official mask of liberalism -- and not actual action. I would love it if Obama and the Democrats were actually attempting to build public social institutions, no matter how colourblind they are, but their actions in power have been to further demolish what's left of these institutions and shunt progressive energy into the masquerade of health insurance reform. The problem with the current political order isn't that it's dominated by liberal idealism, but rather by the neoliberal cynicism on display in the current budget "Grand Bargain".
Again, Wise does have a point here, specifically about Obama's eagerness to distance himself from black issues. Even so, I still feel that a non-cruel and universal welfare system would benefit African-Americans a lot more than, say, specifically-targeted college spaces for black students. But the larger issue is that Wise mistakes the public image projected by Obama and company for their actual actions, a mistake which only furthers the smoke and mirrors of liberal politics.
February 20, 2016
This book debunks the idea of post-racial liberalism. Post-racial liberalism is the idea that we have addressed most of the major racial issues in our society, capped by the election of our first black president, and that appeals to race may be counterproductive to further progress. Instead, the argument goes, social issues are better dealt with in a race neutral context (e.g., health care for all, raising the minimum wage, etc.).
Certainly, we have made progress in addressing many of the issues raised by the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. However, it doesn’t mean we have eliminated the problems. In fact, Wise argues, many of our social problems still disproportionately affect black Americans, beginning with incarceration but including employment, health care, education, housing, etc. If race wasn’t a component, how, he asks, can we explain why patients with the same diagnoses are given significantly less aggressive/effective treatments if they are black; or how employers react to the same job application/resume depending on whether the applicant has an European surname or a black sounding name; or how teachers treat students differently, based on biased expectations shaped by neighborhood or other cultural contexts. (Wise argues persuasively that much of the opposition to the Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - motivated by the perception that many/most of the beneficiaries are black.)
In addition, Wise argues that it is race-neutrality, not race consciousness, that hinders social progress. Proponents of race-neutrality argue that direct racial correctives are not as urgent these days, and that they may be counter-productive by engendering backlash. However, Wise argues that race-neutrality often can and is used as a cover for racial discrimination (albeit in many cases it may be subconscious rather than direct or blatant discrimination). Wise’s corrective is what he calls “illuminated individualism” – bringing a race consciousness into our decision making. By ignoring race, subconscious fears may surface and bias our decisions unknowingly. By trying to bring our (collective as well as individual) fears and stereotypes to the forefront of our consciousness, we can neutralize the effect that our subconscious and/or collective fears and biases can exert.
Certainly, we have made progress in addressing many of the issues raised by the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. However, it doesn’t mean we have eliminated the problems. In fact, Wise argues, many of our social problems still disproportionately affect black Americans, beginning with incarceration but including employment, health care, education, housing, etc. If race wasn’t a component, how, he asks, can we explain why patients with the same diagnoses are given significantly less aggressive/effective treatments if they are black; or how employers react to the same job application/resume depending on whether the applicant has an European surname or a black sounding name; or how teachers treat students differently, based on biased expectations shaped by neighborhood or other cultural contexts. (Wise argues persuasively that much of the opposition to the Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - motivated by the perception that many/most of the beneficiaries are black.)
In addition, Wise argues that it is race-neutrality, not race consciousness, that hinders social progress. Proponents of race-neutrality argue that direct racial correctives are not as urgent these days, and that they may be counter-productive by engendering backlash. However, Wise argues that race-neutrality often can and is used as a cover for racial discrimination (albeit in many cases it may be subconscious rather than direct or blatant discrimination). Wise’s corrective is what he calls “illuminated individualism” – bringing a race consciousness into our decision making. By ignoring race, subconscious fears may surface and bias our decisions unknowingly. By trying to bring our (collective as well as individual) fears and stereotypes to the forefront of our consciousness, we can neutralize the effect that our subconscious and/or collective fears and biases can exert.
August 1, 2016
"If you don't know who Tim Wise is, you will after this book." — Mark Anthony Neal, author of New Black Man and Professor of African & African-American Studies at Duke University
"With Colorblind, Tim Wise offers a gutsy call to arms. Rather than play nice and reiterate the fiction of black racial transcendence, Wise takes the gloves off: He insists white Americans themselves must be at the forefront of the policy shifts necessary to correct our nation's racial imbalances in crime, health, wealth, education and more. A piercing, passionate and illuminating critique of the post-racial moment."
— Bakari Kitwana, author of The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture
"Tim Wise's Colorblind is a powerful and urgently needed book. One of our best and most courageous public voices on racial inequality, Wise tackles head on the resurgence and absurdity of post-racial liberalism in a world still largely structured by deep racial disparity and structural inequality. He shows us with passion and sharp, insightful, accessible analysis how this imagined world of post racial framing and policy can’t take us where we want to go—it actually stymies our progress toward racial unity and equality."
—Tricia Rose, Brown University, author of The Hip Hop Wars
"Tim Wise's Colorblind brilliantly challenges the idea that the election of Obama has ushered in a post-racial era. In clear, engaging, and accessible prose, Wise explains that ignoring problems does not make them go away, that race-bound problems require race-conscious remedies. Perhaps most important, Colorblind proposes practical solutions to our problems and promotes new ways of thinking that encourage us to both recognize differences and to transcend them."
—George Lipsitz, author of The Possessive Investment in Whiteness
"A phenomenal book, a great read, you definitely want to check out."
—Roland Martin, The Tom Joyner Show & CNN
"I highly, highly, highly recommend it."
—Tavis Smiley
"I finally finished Tim Wise's 'Colorblind' and found it right-on, straight-ahead piece of work. This guy hits all the targets, it's really quite remarkable . . . That's two of his that I've read [the first being 'Between Barack':] and they are both works of crystal truth . . ."
—Mumia Abu-Jamal
"America needs not to 'move beyond' race but to adopt innovative public policies that directly address it. Wise gives specific ideas of what those policies might be."
—World Wide Work
"Wise's powerful and thought-provoking book is aimed at opening the eyes of Americans, by showing them that this country, in 2010, is not a colorblind society."
—The Empowerment Initiative Online Newsletter
"Tim Wise dismantles the myth that full equality has been won and the playing field is level with hard facts, citing studies that have shown the persistence of institutional racism and white racial preference in all areas, including employment, education and health care."
—Kel Munger, Sacramento News and Review
"The book is consistently interesting and, in many ways, unsettling as it challenges the settled opinions on race matters. . . . In a post-racial society, ‘race-bound problems require race-conscious remedies.’ A preeminent anti-racist, Tim Wise lays out brilliantly his views on a society that is yet to move beyond discrimination to a post-racial liberalism."
—Tribune India
“The author of 'White Like Me' returns with the timely and provocative 'Colorblind,' examining the ongoing racial disparities in all aspects of American life in the age of Obama. Wise convincingly argues that by turning a colorblind eye, we not only fail to achieve equality but in fact worsen racial injustice.” —Shelf Unbound
"A new book by Tim Wise, “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity,” provides an excellent companion piece to Alexander’s “New Jim Crow”. Wise argues that Barack Obama’s appeal to post-racial universalism has been an unmitigated disaster. By refusing to address the tidal wave of racist rhetoric currently engulfing the Republic, Obama has multiplied its power. . . . I urge you to run out and buy a copy of this important book..."
Alan Bean, Friends of Justice
"With Colorblind, Tim Wise offers a gutsy call to arms. Rather than play nice and reiterate the fiction of black racial transcendence, Wise takes the gloves off: He insists white Americans themselves must be at the forefront of the policy shifts necessary to correct our nation's racial imbalances in crime, health, wealth, education and more. A piercing, passionate and illuminating critique of the post-racial moment."
— Bakari Kitwana, author of The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture
"Tim Wise's Colorblind is a powerful and urgently needed book. One of our best and most courageous public voices on racial inequality, Wise tackles head on the resurgence and absurdity of post-racial liberalism in a world still largely structured by deep racial disparity and structural inequality. He shows us with passion and sharp, insightful, accessible analysis how this imagined world of post racial framing and policy can’t take us where we want to go—it actually stymies our progress toward racial unity and equality."
—Tricia Rose, Brown University, author of The Hip Hop Wars
"Tim Wise's Colorblind brilliantly challenges the idea that the election of Obama has ushered in a post-racial era. In clear, engaging, and accessible prose, Wise explains that ignoring problems does not make them go away, that race-bound problems require race-conscious remedies. Perhaps most important, Colorblind proposes practical solutions to our problems and promotes new ways of thinking that encourage us to both recognize differences and to transcend them."
—George Lipsitz, author of The Possessive Investment in Whiteness
"A phenomenal book, a great read, you definitely want to check out."
—Roland Martin, The Tom Joyner Show & CNN
"I highly, highly, highly recommend it."
—Tavis Smiley
"I finally finished Tim Wise's 'Colorblind' and found it right-on, straight-ahead piece of work. This guy hits all the targets, it's really quite remarkable . . . That's two of his that I've read [the first being 'Between Barack':] and they are both works of crystal truth . . ."
—Mumia Abu-Jamal
"America needs not to 'move beyond' race but to adopt innovative public policies that directly address it. Wise gives specific ideas of what those policies might be."
—World Wide Work
"Wise's powerful and thought-provoking book is aimed at opening the eyes of Americans, by showing them that this country, in 2010, is not a colorblind society."
—The Empowerment Initiative Online Newsletter
"Tim Wise dismantles the myth that full equality has been won and the playing field is level with hard facts, citing studies that have shown the persistence of institutional racism and white racial preference in all areas, including employment, education and health care."
—Kel Munger, Sacramento News and Review
"The book is consistently interesting and, in many ways, unsettling as it challenges the settled opinions on race matters. . . . In a post-racial society, ‘race-bound problems require race-conscious remedies.’ A preeminent anti-racist, Tim Wise lays out brilliantly his views on a society that is yet to move beyond discrimination to a post-racial liberalism."
—Tribune India
“The author of 'White Like Me' returns with the timely and provocative 'Colorblind,' examining the ongoing racial disparities in all aspects of American life in the age of Obama. Wise convincingly argues that by turning a colorblind eye, we not only fail to achieve equality but in fact worsen racial injustice.” —Shelf Unbound
"A new book by Tim Wise, “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity,” provides an excellent companion piece to Alexander’s “New Jim Crow”. Wise argues that Barack Obama’s appeal to post-racial universalism has been an unmitigated disaster. By refusing to address the tidal wave of racist rhetoric currently engulfing the Republic, Obama has multiplied its power. . . . I urge you to run out and buy a copy of this important book..."
Alan Bean, Friends of Justice
February 1, 2012
Yes.
Tim Wise speaks a real talk that is incredibly accessible, unarguably relevant and extraordinarily necessary. Here, Wise attacks the developing push for a post-racial America, especially by the self-proclaimed liberal left. He levels attacks not only on an ideological front but more importantly from a purely strategic angle, persuasively arguing that meaningful progress with regards to racial disparities requires a race-conscious, not race-neutral, approach.
After exploring the rise of post-racial liberalism, Wise clearly articulates how this era of supposed colorblindness threatens to undermine racial progress. He then acknowledges that lambasting a political system is hardly worth its weight in words without offering a better alternative.
So he does.
The final section of the book is devoted to flushing out the ways in which individuals, the collective, and government can foster a truly more equitable society by recognizing, focusing on, and actually discussing the consequences of race in our society. He calls in the final pages for an illuminated individualism, a social and political approach to recognizing that individual identities shape experiences differently and thus cannot simply be steamrolled into a single I, or We for any particular discussion or purpose.
Most of all, he calls for an end to individual neutrality and passivity. For in an era where colorblindness has proven to be destructive, so too is issue blindness and, as he says, "standing still is never an option so long as inequities remain embedded in the very fabric of the culture."
Tim Wise speaks a real talk that is incredibly accessible, unarguably relevant and extraordinarily necessary. Here, Wise attacks the developing push for a post-racial America, especially by the self-proclaimed liberal left. He levels attacks not only on an ideological front but more importantly from a purely strategic angle, persuasively arguing that meaningful progress with regards to racial disparities requires a race-conscious, not race-neutral, approach.
After exploring the rise of post-racial liberalism, Wise clearly articulates how this era of supposed colorblindness threatens to undermine racial progress. He then acknowledges that lambasting a political system is hardly worth its weight in words without offering a better alternative.
So he does.
The final section of the book is devoted to flushing out the ways in which individuals, the collective, and government can foster a truly more equitable society by recognizing, focusing on, and actually discussing the consequences of race in our society. He calls in the final pages for an illuminated individualism, a social and political approach to recognizing that individual identities shape experiences differently and thus cannot simply be steamrolled into a single I, or We for any particular discussion or purpose.
Most of all, he calls for an end to individual neutrality and passivity. For in an era where colorblindness has proven to be destructive, so too is issue blindness and, as he says, "standing still is never an option so long as inequities remain embedded in the very fabric of the culture."
May 7, 2017
"To begin, if the rhetoric of racial transcendence gives the impression--as it does, almost by definition--that the racial injustices of the past are no longer instrumental in determining life chances and outcomes, it will become increasingly likely that persons seeing significant racial stratification in society will rationalize those disparities as owing to some cultural or biological flaw on the part of those at the bottom of the hierarchy. In other words, racial bias would become almost rational once observers of inequity were deprived of the critical social context needed to understand the conditions they observe. Whereas a color-conscious approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of racial inequities and how they've been generated, colorblindness encourages placing blame for the conditions of inequity on those who have been the targets of systemic injustice. Ironically, this means that colorblindness, often encouraged as the ultimate non-racist mentality, might have the consequence of giving new life to racist thinking."
"Illuminated individualism seeks to respect the uniqueness of all persons and communities--and thus not to assume that racial identity or country of origin, as in the case of non-citizens seeking to become residents, automatically tells us what we need to know about a person and their background--while yet acknowledging the general truth that to be white, a person of color, indigenous, or an immigrant continues to have meaning in the United States."
'Whether race is a burden or a benefit is all the same to the race neutral theorists; that is what they mean when they speak of being colorblind. They are colorblind, all right--blind to the consequences of being the wrong color in America today.' --Julian Bond, Chairman, NAACP 2003
"Evidence points to a process whereby whites over-remember stereotype-confirming behavior or tendencies in applicants of color, and ignore the same traits in whites. So, for instance, if a person of color mispronounces a word, ends a sentence with a preposition, or stumbles while speaking during an job interview, it may trigger what psychologists call a mental schema (or set of ideas that are linked to one another in memory) regarding stereotypes of inadequate black performance and ability. Yet, if a white job applicant did the very same things, it would not trigger remembrance of a stereotypical and negative schema regarding white people (because there are none when it comes to intelligence), and it would likely be forgotten or never even noticed."
"So if a black person of some notoriety agrees with a racist assumption made regularly by white people, those white people can no longer be thought of as engaging in racism. Which means, by definition, that if even one prominent black person can be found who would defend segregation or enslavement--and of course, such persons existed--neither of those amounted to racism either: a position so intellectually putrid as to merit no further comment."
"Having to be 'twice as good' to get half as far, even when one manages to pull it off, can easily devolve into a real-life 'John Henryism,' in which, like the folk legend about the steel-driving man who wanted to prove he could pound rail ties as well as a machine, individuals who fall prey to it prove themselves, only to die early from over-stress."
From the Journal of the National Medical Association:
'The failure to address differences in the behavior towards and opportunities afforded to racial/ethnic minorities contributes to the inability to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health. Too often, programs designed to eliminate disparities focus on educating the community without regard for their environment and other circumstances that restrict their freedom of choice and opportunities. Addressing racism as it relates to racial/ethnic health disparities requires an assessment of its prevalence and an understanding of the specific manner in which it operates, not only in the social environment, but in healthcare delivery systems as well.'
"Illuminated individualism seeks to respect the uniqueness of all persons and communities--and thus not to assume that racial identity or country of origin, as in the case of non-citizens seeking to become residents, automatically tells us what we need to know about a person and their background--while yet acknowledging the general truth that to be white, a person of color, indigenous, or an immigrant continues to have meaning in the United States."
'Whether race is a burden or a benefit is all the same to the race neutral theorists; that is what they mean when they speak of being colorblind. They are colorblind, all right--blind to the consequences of being the wrong color in America today.' --Julian Bond, Chairman, NAACP 2003
"Evidence points to a process whereby whites over-remember stereotype-confirming behavior or tendencies in applicants of color, and ignore the same traits in whites. So, for instance, if a person of color mispronounces a word, ends a sentence with a preposition, or stumbles while speaking during an job interview, it may trigger what psychologists call a mental schema (or set of ideas that are linked to one another in memory) regarding stereotypes of inadequate black performance and ability. Yet, if a white job applicant did the very same things, it would not trigger remembrance of a stereotypical and negative schema regarding white people (because there are none when it comes to intelligence), and it would likely be forgotten or never even noticed."
"So if a black person of some notoriety agrees with a racist assumption made regularly by white people, those white people can no longer be thought of as engaging in racism. Which means, by definition, that if even one prominent black person can be found who would defend segregation or enslavement--and of course, such persons existed--neither of those amounted to racism either: a position so intellectually putrid as to merit no further comment."
"Having to be 'twice as good' to get half as far, even when one manages to pull it off, can easily devolve into a real-life 'John Henryism,' in which, like the folk legend about the steel-driving man who wanted to prove he could pound rail ties as well as a machine, individuals who fall prey to it prove themselves, only to die early from over-stress."
From the Journal of the National Medical Association:
'The failure to address differences in the behavior towards and opportunities afforded to racial/ethnic minorities contributes to the inability to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health. Too often, programs designed to eliminate disparities focus on educating the community without regard for their environment and other circumstances that restrict their freedom of choice and opportunities. Addressing racism as it relates to racial/ethnic health disparities requires an assessment of its prevalence and an understanding of the specific manner in which it operates, not only in the social environment, but in healthcare delivery systems as well.'
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March 19, 2025Book Review: Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity
Author: Tim Wise
Publisher: City Lights Books, 2010
ISBN: 978-0872864783
Tim Wise’s “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity” offers a critical examination of the concept of colorblindness in contemporary American society and its implications for racial equity. Building on his extensive experience as a speaker and educator in the realms of anti-racism and social justice, Wise articulates how the ideology of colorblindness has emerged as a dominant narrative in political discourse, obscuring the realities of systemic racism and inequality.
The book is structured into several key sections that delve into the rise of post-racial politics, challenging the assumption that society has moved beyond race-based discrimination. Wise argues that the election of Barack Obama and the rhetoric surrounding post-racialism have contributed to a dangerous misconception—that racism is a relic of the past. This narrative, he contends, undermines ongoing struggles for racial justice and equity by suggesting that all individuals can achieve success irrespective of their racial background.
One of the book’s significant contributions is its dissection of the ideological underpinnings of colorblindness. Wise critically assesses how this perspective is often adopted by both individuals and institutions as a means to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths about privilege and systemic disparities. He highlights that while colorblindness purports to promote equality, it paradoxically perpetuates existing inequalities by dismissing the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Wise’s work is supplemented by a robust analysis of historical and contemporary examples that illustrate the consequences of colorblind policies. He examines various social systems, including education, criminal justice, and employment, to underscore how the retreat from acknowledging race has tangible effects on marginalized communities. Through empirical data, he illustrates persistent racial disparities in these areas, emphasizing that refusing to see race does not equate to equality but rather contributes to a cycle of inequity.
Furthermore, Wise addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of colorblindness, exploring how this mindset can lead to a denial of the lived experiences of people of color. He challenges readers to confront their prejudices and the societal structures that uphold inequity, urging a shift from colorblindness to a more nuanced understanding of race that acknowledges and addresses historical injustices.
While the book is rich in critique and analysis, some readers may find that Wise’s passionate stance can occasionally verge on didacticism. However, this intensity often serves to galvanize readers into reflection and action, making the book both an intellectual and motivational call to engage with issues of race and equity.
In conclusion, “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity” is an essential read for educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to understanding and addressing racial inequities in society. Tim Wise offers not only a critique of colorblind ideology but also a clarion call for a return to conversations around race that prioritize equity and justice. This work is a vital contribution to contemporary discussions on race, providing readers with the tools needed to challenge the status quo and advocate for meaningful change in the pursuit of an equitable society.
Author: Tim Wise
Publisher: City Lights Books, 2010
ISBN: 978-0872864783
Tim Wise’s “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity” offers a critical examination of the concept of colorblindness in contemporary American society and its implications for racial equity. Building on his extensive experience as a speaker and educator in the realms of anti-racism and social justice, Wise articulates how the ideology of colorblindness has emerged as a dominant narrative in political discourse, obscuring the realities of systemic racism and inequality.
The book is structured into several key sections that delve into the rise of post-racial politics, challenging the assumption that society has moved beyond race-based discrimination. Wise argues that the election of Barack Obama and the rhetoric surrounding post-racialism have contributed to a dangerous misconception—that racism is a relic of the past. This narrative, he contends, undermines ongoing struggles for racial justice and equity by suggesting that all individuals can achieve success irrespective of their racial background.
One of the book’s significant contributions is its dissection of the ideological underpinnings of colorblindness. Wise critically assesses how this perspective is often adopted by both individuals and institutions as a means to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths about privilege and systemic disparities. He highlights that while colorblindness purports to promote equality, it paradoxically perpetuates existing inequalities by dismissing the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Wise’s work is supplemented by a robust analysis of historical and contemporary examples that illustrate the consequences of colorblind policies. He examines various social systems, including education, criminal justice, and employment, to underscore how the retreat from acknowledging race has tangible effects on marginalized communities. Through empirical data, he illustrates persistent racial disparities in these areas, emphasizing that refusing to see race does not equate to equality but rather contributes to a cycle of inequity.
Furthermore, Wise addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of colorblindness, exploring how this mindset can lead to a denial of the lived experiences of people of color. He challenges readers to confront their prejudices and the societal structures that uphold inequity, urging a shift from colorblindness to a more nuanced understanding of race that acknowledges and addresses historical injustices.
While the book is rich in critique and analysis, some readers may find that Wise’s passionate stance can occasionally verge on didacticism. However, this intensity often serves to galvanize readers into reflection and action, making the book both an intellectual and motivational call to engage with issues of race and equity.
In conclusion, “Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity” is an essential read for educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to understanding and addressing racial inequities in society. Tim Wise offers not only a critique of colorblind ideology but also a clarion call for a return to conversations around race that prioritize equity and justice. This work is a vital contribution to contemporary discussions on race, providing readers with the tools needed to challenge the status quo and advocate for meaningful change in the pursuit of an equitable society.
June 7, 2020
Colorblind by Tim Wise takes a closer look at the experience of being an African American in present day America. The underlying theme often recounted in his book is "post racial liberalism". It raises a clarion call that with the election of Barack Obama to the presidency that the United States has a long way to go until African American people reach an equal footing in the United States. Topics range from education to healthcare and Obama himself is put under a magnifying glass of scrutiny as to how he should have conducted himself in certain situations, notably his condemnation of Reverend Wright's diatribes. The author Tim Wise certainly does not shy away from raising moral challenges of how to combat racism in the United States. The brutal history of racism here in the United States is brought forth to light and educates readers on numerous injustices towards black people. Later on in the book the author provides suggestions as to how to combat racism such as banning companies accused of racist practices from receiving government subsidies, declaring racism to be a public health issue, and offering teaching reforms to educate teachers on how racism and discrimination leave students behind and to allocate funds to prevent racism and discrimination. This book is certainly relevant in this day and age and certainly at this writing in June of 2020. This book would be substantial in high school classes and sociology classes across the United States.
September 5, 2019
I have often felt the inadequacy of "colorblind" approaches to life, but on an intuitive level. This book expands that by explaining those inadequacies on a rational level.
Tim Wise presents argument after argument, study after study, to show how ignoring racial difference reinforces the gap between races. In spite of all those studies, the book is quite readable. It is well organized with all its parts put clearly into place. For those interested in reading actual studies, there are abundant footnotes.
He opens with chapters showing how the theory of colorblindness developed, aided by then President Obama's own race neutral approach. He follows this with evidence that we have indeed not transcended racial disparities. He critiques victim blaming. He includes discussion of persistent racial bias in employment, housing, education and health. He addresses these areas again in the last section where he offers suggestions for action, action on both the individual and policy level.
Tim Wise presents argument after argument, study after study, to show how ignoring racial difference reinforces the gap between races. In spite of all those studies, the book is quite readable. It is well organized with all its parts put clearly into place. For those interested in reading actual studies, there are abundant footnotes.
He opens with chapters showing how the theory of colorblindness developed, aided by then President Obama's own race neutral approach. He follows this with evidence that we have indeed not transcended racial disparities. He critiques victim blaming. He includes discussion of persistent racial bias in employment, housing, education and health. He addresses these areas again in the last section where he offers suggestions for action, action on both the individual and policy level.
November 19, 2020
While this book was written during Obama's presidency, it is worth reading now in order to gain historical perspective regarding our general cultural inability to discuss matters of race and racism and the structural racism (in education, housing, and healthcare) that pervade in the U.S. Wise brings readers back to the Moynihan Report in 1965 and the rhetoric of racial transcendence that it initiated amongst white cultures causing a problematic culture of colorblindness and what Wise refers to as "post-racial liberalism," a culture which continued in the Obama era. He also offers solutions to how to begin addressing system racism in our institutions and cultures.
February 3, 2019
If post-racial liberalism, also known as colorblind universalism, was a framework constructed of bricks, Tim Wise is able to comprehensibly and effectively dissect and knock down each of these poorly laid bricks, and in doing so, shows that the race-related problems within the realms of employment, housing, education, and health care are not based on economics and/or culture, but good ole American racism. The danger in a colorblind attitude, a very ironic danger, is it often breads and cultivates what it is meant to alleviate, and that is racism.
March 5, 2018
3/5 stars due to the 3rd chapter alone (I was initially only going to give 2 stars before getting to the last chapter). I went into this book really wanting to like it. The first two chapters were muddled and difficult to get through. Overall, not my favorite.
November 10, 2018
A must read! What an eye opening read of our responsibility to move our country forward. A new term to learn: Illuminated Individualism. You will need to read his book to see how we should know and cherish each person we know!
June 22, 2022
A spewing of statistics and data that was not engaging. Other authors have made this same point and engaged my interest and attention better.
March 18, 2017
Not a trivial or simply entertaining read -- what's in it matters very much and requires an effort for some of us to keep an open mind and heart regarding its messages. The statistics and support are compelling, the conclusions and calls to action well reasoned. Now having gained this awareness, I need to work on my own behaviors and watch for leaders who espouse these ideals.
February 12, 2011
I'll have you know my book has a different subtitle: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat From Racial Equity. No mention of Obama. If it did mention Obama I would have felt more prepared about the attacks on Obama that were brought up from this book during class discussion. I did not completely read the book. It did help me see that I share quite a bit of Obama's post-racial liberalism. Wise makes the argument that we needed to say that health care reform is a black issue. I completely disagree. As I called the ignorant masses in AK, CO, VA, WI, IL, etc. to encourage them to speak out for health reform I never thought for one instance this would be easier if we told them this was all about poor blacks. It would have been impossible. Our hook was that this is not about those on welfare, they already have medicaid. This is about the rest of us. Wise is correct in that perhaps universal health care would be about including the poor and improving medicaid and medicare. But what sold Affordable Care Act was that we largely were not talking about these groups, we were talking about the threatened middle class. The reform that was passed will in part or as a side effect improve on care for the poor and the retired but that is not the bulk of it.
I had come to the dire conclusion that the less said about race in American the more successful the legislation will be. The divided, bigoted America I have come to know as an adult makes this strategy really appeal to me.
But Wise really got me to rethink that. If America is ever going to truly live up to its ideals it has to admit that there is a beam in its eye. It cannot see the truth with this obstruction. It's a hard road but it's the good fight that must be fought. Perhaps not by presidents but by the people.
I had come to the dire conclusion that the less said about race in American the more successful the legislation will be. The divided, bigoted America I have come to know as an adult makes this strategy really appeal to me.
But Wise really got me to rethink that. If America is ever going to truly live up to its ideals it has to admit that there is a beam in its eye. It cannot see the truth with this obstruction. It's a hard road but it's the good fight that must be fought. Perhaps not by presidents but by the people.
May 29, 2010
As a regular reader of Tim Wise, I was excited to pick up his new book AT City Lights during a recent trip to San Francisco. Sadly, I didn't find this text as engaging as some of his previous works. It's not for lack of a good concept - Wise's thesis is that "post-racial liberalism" (as practiced by many democrats, including President Obama) actually moves us further from racial justice than a more color conscious approach (here he calls it "illuminated individualism). Intriguing, right? Yet he then proceeds to spend two-thirds of the book trotting out all of his previous research on racial inequities, which is old hat if you've read any of his other works. It's not until the last section on illuminated individualism that you get to something really fresh and radical - Wise's recommendations for policy changes that would bring us closer to a liberated society. Declaring racism as a public health issue for folks of color? Genius.
If you've never read Tim Wise before, by all means start with this book and enjoy filling your head with US racial disparities 101. But if you have, I recommend skimming the early sections and then digging in to part three. You'll appreciate the new material he brings to the table, but you won't have to wait as long as I did for something new.
If you've never read Tim Wise before, by all means start with this book and enjoy filling your head with US racial disparities 101. But if you have, I recommend skimming the early sections and then digging in to part three. You'll appreciate the new material he brings to the table, but you won't have to wait as long as I did for something new.
August 13, 2016
It is distressing that most of the people who really need to read this book never will and, fundamentally, that explains the prevalence of the flawed post-racial narrative Wise intellectually destroys in this book. The fact of the matter is that most people who do not have to think critically about the consequences of race do not, and they certainly do not take it upon themselves to pursue an understanding of the critical historical context of the race-based social and economic disparities our society has inherited and, consciously and unconsciously, repackaged to create the illusion of post-racialism. Likewise, this lack of contextual knowledge (easily acquired by reading books like this one), combined with various unconscious manifestations of racial bias and resentment, explains the phenomenon in which whites who swear by colorblindness nevertheless reject deliberate methods to remedy the disadvantage experienced by black and brown people.
Tim Wise, you are my hero.
Tim Wise, you are my hero.
April 27, 2016
Tim Wise is very convincing in his arguments that we are not ready for colorblindness. The equalities penetrate all areas of our life – education, work, and health policies. We still are facing racial issues throughout life. The author describes the situation and proposes the ways of how to “fix” our society. We have to be aware of our own stereotypes and keep them in check. Tim Wise also discusses that it is really important to teach our children the history of the U.S. and about the role of the race in its establishment. We have to teach future generations why we all have a different color skin and that life opportunities should not depend on its color. We are a long way to go but if we have more people such Wise we might speed up the process and move closer to the healthy society where you will have a chance to be successful if you are dark and you will not be judged or called sick if you are in an interracial relationship or have a mixed race child.
August 23, 2010
This is not Wise's strongest work. It seems there's a trend with writers who do social science. Once they begin to get publicity, they start churning stuff out every two years; unfortunately, much of the stuff is recycled old work. This is the case with Colorblind.
Wise rehashes the basic arguments of why white people are privileged, why racism still exists, etc. And while this is necessary if this book is given to someone who's never been introduced to these basic concepts, for his readers who are familiar, it's a waste of space. Wise's books have read like primers in recent years, and I would have liked to see a harder hitting approach to the "colorblind" trend in the U.S. Still, Wise keeps his charm and his message is good, so he gets three stars.
Wise rehashes the basic arguments of why white people are privileged, why racism still exists, etc. And while this is necessary if this book is given to someone who's never been introduced to these basic concepts, for his readers who are familiar, it's a waste of space. Wise's books have read like primers in recent years, and I would have liked to see a harder hitting approach to the "colorblind" trend in the U.S. Still, Wise keeps his charm and his message is good, so he gets three stars.
August 5, 2011
This book is for anyone who cares about living in a more just and racially equitable society. Wise does a masterful job of pulling together hundreds of social-psychological and sociological studies that illustrate the ongoing signficance of race in shaping lives and life chances. The book is organized around four aspects of social life - housing, education, health care, and employment - where racial disparities are most glaring. Wise convincingly argues why the "post-racial" and "colorblind" narratives that have overtaken today's political scene are not only dishonest, they are also dangerous. He offers a path forward ("illuminated individualism" and various policy prescriptions) in the conclusion, which I appreciate very much.
November 16, 2015
Tim Wise's critique of the modern color-blind solutions to racism is extremely insightful and eyeopening, though disjointed and sometimes rambling in its presentation. The color-blind argument is that if we address "bigger" issues such as poverty, drug abuse, and education, racism will eventually disappear. A well known example is President Obama's Democratic National Convention Speech, in which he said, "There is not a black America and a white America ... - there's the United States of America." In reality, according to Wise, such approaches merely ignore racism and as a result, passively ignore it. His solution is to continue to educate and face specific racism issues. A good contribution to an extremely complex issue.
February 18, 2011
I thought this book was incredible. I have heard Tim Wise speak once before during college and I have heard about his work through word of mouth but this was the first book I decided to read of his. I found it compelling, well-researched, thoughtful, and above all else practical. I appreciated his deep analysis of the fallacy of post-racial liberalism and how we must on the one hand address structural change but at the same time develop what he calls illuminated individualism. I also appreciated his policy recommendations towards the end of the book and hope that our country becomes more race conscious as we move forward.
May 8, 2013
I was interested in reading this book after watching Tim Wise on YouTube. He is clearly a dynamic speaker and a very thoughtful academic. The book itself is a bit academic and dry, but thought-provoking. His central premise is counter-intuitive, that color-blindness (ignoring race) itself leads to unfairness because it ignores both historic and present-day disparate treatment. In its place, he suggests a form of race-conscience individualism, recognizing that someone is both an individual and a member of a distinct historical group. Wise does a decent job of presenting his thesis, marshaling his arguments, and presenting his recommendations.
September 5, 2011
Wise is extremely redundant. It makes me wonder if ran out of material after the previous book, or is it because we need to hear this message many times? My only criticism so far- I think he is too harsh on Obama. Obama would have never been elected in to office without belittling the issue of racism in America. Wise should focus more on that (the additional challenge of being a minority in politics) than how Obama "chooses" to skirt around the issue. I see Obama more as a victim of racism than a proponent.
January 7, 2012
Does a great job of putting to bed the idea that we live in a post-racial country, in spite of the fact that we elected a black president. The book spends a great deal of time showing empirically the effects of both historical, legal racism and contemporary, subversive racism. It advocates for race-based reform in addition to socioeconomic-based measures. The last quarter of the book offers some concrete suggestions to working toward a more equal society. I strongly recommend it to anybody interested in understanding more about the nature of white supremacy.
July 3, 2016
Illuminating book and a fairly quick read. Tim Wise is a gifted writer, presenting logical arguments that are easy to follow.
By taking a color-conscious approach, the author shines a light on modern-day racism found in employment, housing, education and health care. Over and over he proves that being black in America has its own set of risks unique to the United States.
Throughout the book, Wise makes a strong case against the myth of racial transcendence, asserting that "When it comes to race, we must be color-conscious, not colorblind."
Highly recommend this book.
By taking a color-conscious approach, the author shines a light on modern-day racism found in employment, housing, education and health care. Over and over he proves that being black in America has its own set of risks unique to the United States.
Throughout the book, Wise makes a strong case against the myth of racial transcendence, asserting that "When it comes to race, we must be color-conscious, not colorblind."
Highly recommend this book.
December 20, 2010
Tim Wise does a fantastic job of laying out the reasons for why we should abandon the concept of 'colorblind.' He spends quite a lot of time on health care in the African American population and the ways in which discrimination manifests into illness.
Then he lays out his vision of adopting color-conscious policies and approaches to hiring, health care, education, and housing. His vision of illuminated individualism is insightful and brilliant.
Then he lays out his vision of adopting color-conscious policies and approaches to hiring, health care, education, and housing. His vision of illuminated individualism is insightful and brilliant.
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July 31, 2013This non-fictional piece was very insightful and powerful. Tim Wise is right on target when he speaks of "White Privilege." After reading the book, I downloaded some relevant podcast with Tim lecturing. He is an inspirational speaker. I was moved and inspired. This book is useful and a good read for anyone, white or black who is interested in understanding race relations in America. They have it at ibooks as well. I just happen to still like holding and annotating in my books::::))))))).
December 11, 2015
This book took me a long time to read, but I think it's because there was so much to take in and think about even though it wasn't an overly academic-type of read. Wise helps clarify and make accessible some pretty tough and complex issues that are extremely relevant. I would definitely need to read this again. Too bad I borrowed a friend's copy - I think I would have underlined and marked up a lot of things.
February 27, 2012
Well worth reading to challenge your own assumptions about racism. This should be mandatory reading for anyone in a position where they can influence public or company policy on recruitment and racism. It very anchored in the US, so readers in other countries may want to supplement with local authors on the same topics.
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