Why Can't We Be Color Blind?

I was on vacation and listened to a song called Color Blind, by Michael W. Smith.  The lyrics really made me think about what we teach about race.  So here is a link to where I got them, and here they are.

(Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick)

There's not a world of difference
Out in the world tonight
Between this world of people
Red, Yellow, Black and White
But instead of riding a rainbow of love
We still are fighting with prejudice gloves
Of anger
With something to claim
But nothing to gain so
Chorus:
Why can't we be color blind
You know we should
Be living together
And we'd find a reason and rhyme
I know we would
'Cause we could see better
If we could be color blind

Somebody's just assuming
He's up to nothing good
'Cause he's not like the others
There goes the neighborhood
What kind of world are we living in
When we judge a man by the tone of his skin
It's crazy
'Cause he has a heart
Like you have a heart and

Chorus

Bridge:
It'd be so fine
To be color blind
To open our eyes
And see color blind

I know this world would be a better place
The only race would be the human race
All of those barriers would be erased
Why can't we be color blind

Chorus


What Smith brings up here is a very interesting concept.  That instead of looking at people as different, we see them as the same.  This seems to go against the normal educational pattern.  Most teachers teach that we should celebrate differences.  But what if we just treated each other like fellow human beings?  What would the world be like?  Also, the idea that becoming blind to one thing actually opens up our eyes and allows us to see seems like a contradiction, but after a little thought, it seems true.  We would see people as equals, without the visual barrier of color, and the best part?  We wouldn't even know the difference, and would treat every person equally.


But what would others think?  Would they like having their cultural heritage and differences from others ignored or not noticed?  Would that be a big deal in comparison to the positive treatment that all people would receive?