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

by Ellis Cose

“A  book this country desperately needs, one with genuine healing potential.” — New York Times Book Review From the author of The Rage of a Privileged Class , a provocative, in-depth analysis of the state of race in America; a work that not only explores the racial transformation of this nation, but offers a creative and viable ten-step blueprint for the development of a race-neutral society Is a truly race-neutral society possible? Can the United States wipe the slate clean and surmount the racism of its past? Or is color blindness just another name for denial? In this penetrating and provocative book, Ellis Cose probes the depths of the American mind and exposes the contradictions, fears, hopes and illusions embedded in our complicated perceptions of race. 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 O. J. Simpson trial, not to mention the controversial content of The Bell Curve. Looking beyond the platitudes and pronouncements that tend to distort reality rather than illuminate it, Cose offers a visionary analysis of the steps we must take if we are serious about finding a true resolution to the thorny problem of race in America.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race

288 pages, Paperback

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.