Color Blindness

I've been trying to wrap my mind around the political catch phrase "color blindness". I get the basic idea that the phrase suggests, that we should ignore the color of each others' skin (and presumably the corresponding ethnic heritage) in our political dealings. In a utopian world somewhere, it would be that simple to ensure justice and fairness for all.

But in the world of the here and now, it's not that simple. First, how far does this concept extend? Are we also supposed to have "gender blindness", "religion blindness", "gender preference blindness", "disability blindness", "last name blindness", "clothing and jewelry blindness"? If one or more of these extensions strike you as absurd, you are experimenting a bit of the confusion that I experience.

Is the best way to handle diversity to ignore it, pretend we don't notice it, and expect (possibly demand) that others do the same?

We in the USA have always been a diverse bunch. From the Pilgrims, Puritans and Quakers; from the southern plantation owners and northern merchants; from the farmers, fishermen and sailors of our founding times, to the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of today. Rather than ignore it why not celebrate it? We are the most diverse nation in the world, and should be proud of it!

So let's relegate "color blindness" to describing an unfortunate genetic defect that limits the sufferer's enjoyment of the full spectrum of colors most of us enjoy. And stop the political usage which discourages us from a full appreciation of our glorious diversity.