Color-Blind: Seeing Beyond Race in a Race-Obsessed World

by Ellis Cose

At a time when Colin Powell is being discussed as a possible vice-presidential candidate for the Republican party, a growing segment of the population is asking whether racial prejudice has lost its power. But not so In this startling, sharply insightful, and eye-opening book, Ellis Cose trains his practiced eye on the murky waters of race in America and looks at the acute differences, even hostility, in our perceptions of race exposed by the 0. J. Simpson trial, not to mention the controversial content of The Bell Curve. In doing so he addresses whether it is possible for the United States to simply wipe the racial slate clean and surmount its racist past, or if color blindness may be just another name for denial. In a world where it is often believed that lighter skin means higher status, money is the great equalizer, and education will set you free, Color-Blind brilliantly reveals why race may be a larger-and smaller-issue than many people think. With the keen observational powers of a professional journalist and the concrete solutions of a true visionary, Ellis Cose delivers his most powerful and important book to date.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race

288 pages, Hardcover

First published December 26, 1996

About the author

Ellis Cose is a former columnist for Newsweek, chairman of the editorial board of the New York Daily News, contributor and critic for Time, and columnist for USA Today. The author of numerous books, including the bestselling The Rage of a Privileged Class, he lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Lisa Elkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book made some very good points and offered up some good ideas, I was a bit disappointed in it. I really was expecting on fresh perspective on moving towards a "color-blind" society, but instead found it was rehash of everything I have heard before. Alot of what the author would say would get contadicted a few pages or chapters later and I came away feeling like the author never really took a stand one way or the other. One thing I really did like was it addressed the "blame game" on both sides. Americans have to stop pointing fingers, finding fault and come together for the good of humanity. I found it intersting that "racism" exists quite strongly outside the United States. Every discussion or conference I have been party to has eluded to the idea that is an American problem. Many other countries look at it as a "cast-system" and I tend to agree. I believe the prejudice is based far more on economic status than race, but is construed that way because minorities tend to fall in lower economic brackets. I have witnessed the same prejudices held against whites who fall into those catagories. I believe the "racism" of today is far different from what are country was originally fighting and is largely imagined and of our own making. There are those blatant cases where there is clear racism fueled by pure ignorance and hate. However, I think much of todays issues come from minorieties being ingrained by the idea that they are always being discriminated and are owed something. Along with white people being taught fear and ignorant stereotypes. No matter what background(black, white, asian, native, etc.) you come from there are good and bad people. There always will be. So, I think we really have to end the fearful silence and make the "good" louder than the "bad". The author did try to give examples and interview people on both sides of the line and I thought that was good. However the book focused a lot on "affirmative action" policies and I feel those are not at the heart of the problem here. Our backgrounds and heritage are important. They are unique and allow us to bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. "Color-blindness" is not really a solution when we should be celebrating our unique "colors". Although the book addressed many of the issues for today, I wish it had given more ideas on solutions.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good analysis of the modern Civil Rights movement.

[Ariadna73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Color blind is an essay that defends the idea that racism is still a burden for American society. It shows a lot of examples and data extracted for the most current sources (the Obama speeches and parts of his administration policies documents) to prove its point and in the end it does and postulates a series of recommendations to the future of education and normal life in America.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book lays out the responsibility on many who refuse to see the problem ofsuperficial evaluation of people. It also challenges us with 'unique and innovative' solutions that require us dying to ourselves and eliminating social taboos.

[Alyzza Milano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling.