Opinion: Tim Wise: What is post-racial? Reflections on denial and reality – In America - CNN.com Blogs

Opinion: Tim Wise: What is post-racial? Reflections on denial and reality – In America - CNN.com Blogs: Being asked to describe what “post-racial” means is a bit like being asked to describe a leprechaun, cold fusion or unicorns: we know what is meant, but, if we are willing to be honest, we also know that none of the four describe something real, something tangible, something true.

To me, “post-racial” is little more than a nonsense term devised by people (mostly white, frankly), who would simply rather not deal with the ever-present reality of racism and ongoing racial discrimination.

It is a diversion, intended to paper over the divisions that have long roiled our nation, and continue to do so today.

Though some sincerely believe this describes America’s reality– especially since a man of color was elected president – the illogic of believing this signals the veritable death of racism should be apparent: after all, we certainly wouldn’t claim that sexism and patriarchy had been smashed in Pakistan, India, Great Britain, Israel or the Philippines just because they all have elected women as heads of state