I think that part of the problem is that the meaning of the term "color blind" as applied to race relations shifts. A lot. Usually for the convenience of a privileged person who claims to be color blind.
Sometimes people do say that by "color blind," they mean that they see race, but don't [believe that they themselves] attach negative prejudice. However, the term itself is using "blindness" as a metaphor (another problematic thing, as far as ableism go), and so the meaning often goes to "I don't see race." Or "I don't think of you as [insert race]."
The term is also kind of a dogwhistle -- some people hear it and think of one thing, and some people hear it and think of another thing. (See also: "state's rights" as a racist dogwhistle.) Where the term is actually used, a lot of time it's within this nexus of privileged liberal aversive racism.
This article may be helpful. (http://academic.udayton.edu/race/01race/racism10.htm) My apologies if you've seen it before. It is my favorite article ever.
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Sometimes people do say that by "color blind," they mean that they see race, but don't [believe that they themselves] attach negative prejudice. However, the term itself is using "blindness" as a metaphor (another problematic thing, as far as ableism go), and so the meaning often goes to "I don't see race." Or "I don't think of you as [insert race]."
The term is also kind of a dogwhistle -- some people hear it and think of one thing, and some people hear it and think of another thing. (See also: "state's rights" as a racist dogwhistle.) Where the term is actually used, a lot of time it's within this nexus of privileged liberal aversive racism.
This article may be helpful. (http://academic.udayton.edu/race/01race/racism10.htm) My apologies if you've seen it before. It is my favorite article ever.