Research on Colorblindness and Inequality

The key phrase "colorblindness" when referred to in this sense describes the attitude of completely ignoring race. Or rather, the perception that race is being completely ignored. Most whites are unaware of their own biases towards their race. We hear about multiculturalism all the time, and have lots of politically correct terms for minority groups. However, it is still a matter of "normal" versus "other".

Lewis, Amanda E. “‘What Group?’ Studying Whites and Whiteness in the Era of ‘ColorBlindness.’” Sociological Theory 22.4 (2004): 623–46.

Lewis talks about how often whites are unaware they are even part of a group, even though they explicitly recognize other minority groups.

Wise, Tim J. Colorblind: the Rise of Post-racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity. San Francisco: City Lights, 2010.

I was lucky enough to hear Tim Wise give a speech and he is a brilliant, engaging man. He is spreading the word about this issue and getting the information into college classrooms. If you are looking to know more about this topic, his books will definitely provide a very solid introduction.