Author: Erin Pryor

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13:

"The goal of this dissertation is to explore the operation of color-blind ideology among interracial couples. Research confirms that instead of the blatant racism of the past, covert race issues persist because people tend to use color-blind racial ideology (Bonilla-Silva 2003; Carr 1997) and the interracial relationships are becoming more prevalent and even accepted in the U.S. (Domokos-Cheng 1995; U.S. Census Bureau (see e.g., Bonilla-Silva 2001, 2003; Bonilla-Silva & Lewis 1999; Lewis 2006). Therefore, my research considers how color-blind ideology, a typically macro and/or group-level concept, shapes heterosexual Black-white intimate relationships. The ways in which these couples build and maintain their relationships in a color-blind racist world are examined. As well, the influence of romantic interracial contact on the racial views and operation of racial ideology among these couples is explored in order to better understand the impact of color-blindism. To do so, feminist qualitative methodology is used. This methodology was chosen because of feminism's commitment to represent, understand and give a voice to marginalized groups (Collins 1991, 2000; DeVault 1996; Harding 1987). Feminists advocate employing a consciousness-raising method, breaking away from traditional research and dismantling the power dynamic between researcher and research participants (Collins 1991, 2000; DeVault 1996; Farganis 1986; Reinharz 1992; Sprague and Zimmerman 2004). Specifically, semi-structured interviews with Black-white couples are conducted in an effort to emphasize subjective knowledge, to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of these couples in their own words, and to make visible their experiences as an interracial couple in a color-blind social world. The findings confirm that color-blind ideology pervades the thoughts and interactions of both whites and Blacks involved in interracial relationships. Across the life course, color-blind ideology is prevalent in their upbringing, their interaction as a couple, and their familial and social interactions. This operation of color-blindism reinforces the mutual interplay of structure and ideology. Specifically, the relationship between the racialized social system (structure of society) and color-blind racism (the predominant ideology) is reified and works cooperatively to stimulate and reproduce inequality (Bonilla-Silva 2001, 2003; Bonilla-Silva & Lewis 1999; Carr 1997; Lewis 2006; Oliver and Shapiro 1995)."--Abstract.