Beyond Blind Removal: Color Consciousness and Anti-Racism in Los Angeles County Child Welfare

Blind removal aims to reduce racial disproportionality by removing racial demographics from the removal decision-making process after an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect.

On July 13, 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to pilot blind removal. Supervisor Mitchell stated, “This pilot and this whole conversation may be uncomfortable for some. However, from my perspective, the data compels us to seek out every practice that will help us guard against bias and, ultimately, the overrepresentation of children of color in our child welfare system.

“In achieving fundamental change, we have to do what we’ve never done before to achieve results we’ve never experienced.” – Los Angeles County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell

Family separation dates back to the extensive period of slavery, from 1619 to 1865. Many Black families continue to feel the threat of separation today vis-a-vis the child welfare system. Consider the history, context, and intersectionality of the child welfare system and its impact on communities and families of color. This system and its professionals are often acting in response to the persistent consequences of racial injustice and structural inequality.

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