Do Color Blindness and Multiculturalism Remedy or Foster Discrimination and Racism?

TLDR

The article examines whether color‑blind and multicultural diversity models mitigate or exacerbate discrimination and racism. It reviews literature on color‑blind and multicultural approaches, analyzing how each model influences interracial interactions and organizational diversity outcomes. Findings indicate that color blindness often reduces sensitivity to racism and harms interracial interactions, while multiculturalism tends to benefit people of color but both models can still perpetuate inequality.

Abstract

This article offers insight from psychological science into whether models of diversity (e.g., color blindness and multiculturalism) remedy or foster discrimination and racism. First, we focus on implications of a color-blind model. Here, the literature suggests that while color blindness appeals to some individuals, it can decrease individuals’ sensitivity to racism and discrimination. Furthermore, the literature suggests that, with some exceptions, color blindness has negative implications for interracial interactions, minorities’ perceptions and outcomes, and the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in organizational contexts. Second, we examine circumstances under which a multicultural approach yields positive or negative implications for interracial interactions, organizational diversity efforts, and discrimination. The research reviewed coalesces to suggest that while multiculturalism generally has more positive implications for people of color, both models have the potential to further inequality.