Pretending Race doesn't exist

One thing that has interested me throughout Americanah is how Ifemelu notices the nuances within American culture that I forget. Such as how so often Americans are uncomfortable talking about or addressing someone's race. I mentioned in class how during one of my volunteer experiences at Bryn Mawr a student said the phrase "I don't see color". It made uncomfortable and in some ways made me think she was different, forgetting that in America and in my schooling I was taught that it was better to not use terms such as "black" or "people of color" because it was depicted as offensive. I wonder how much this has hindered our knowledge of other races? It also makes me question how , what is sometimes deemed as, "political correctness" has actually aided in the ignorance of other cultures. The character Kelsey who appears in the salon as the liberal white woman who has no idea what shes talking about also made me question on liberalism has hindered knowledge of cultures and races as well as empathy? I will admit that I saw some aspects of myself within Kelsey which made me feel uncomfortable but at the same time relieved that it was being mentioned.