Colorblind ideology in education

Abstract

While most white Americans believe race to be irrelevant in the present-day United States, severe racial disparities between groups suggest otherwise. Instead, most white Americans endorse a colorblind ideology which disavows the existence of systemic racism and is rooted in individualistic perceptions of equal opportunity.

This thesis employs a literature review analysis on the ways in which colorblind ideology appears in institutionalized education and the possible effects it has on equity at school. Due to the available research data, United States is being used as an example on how colorblind ideology permeates institutionalized education. Afterwards, the context of Finnish education will be examined and comparisons on how colorblind ideology appears in these two countries’ education systems will be made.

Recent studies suggest that colorblind ideology is commonly endorsed by teachers in both countries. Furthermore, students seem to posit similar views, as the social atmosphere holds race as a taboo. Thus, the ideology may cause normalization of racial disparities and hide systemic racism that may be reproducing unequal conditions at school.