Research: Color-Blind Attitudes and Behaviors Perpetuate Structural Racism
Psychologists say an important step in rooting out systemic racism is to first acknowledge it, rather than deny or minimize its existence.In a review article published online May 23 in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, researchers looked at 83 previous studies in which specific types of color-blind ideology were found to increase anti-Black perspectives and give a pass to racist behaviors and attitudes. More specifically, power evasion (the denial of racism) led to these negative outcomes, and color evasion (ignoring race) did not necessarily do so.The researchers noted in the paper that by helping people better understand the individual-level behaviors and ideologies that contribute to anti-Black sentiment, counseling psychologists can help dismantle the systemic racism those behaviors and attitudes lead to.These findings can inform best practices for mental health professionals…