The truth about the insidious impact of “not seeing colours”

During a busy weekday lunch at a downtown restaurant a few weeks ago, I found myself unintentionally drawn into the conversation of two women seated nearby. As they conversed, the first one, an assertive white woman in her mid-thirties, was sharing her experiences in diverse work environments. She spoke with pride, saying: “I’ve always worked in diverse teams, and I treat everyone the same way. I’ve never let race be a factor in how I interact with colleagues or make decisions. I just don’t see colour. That’s how I can tell that I’m not racist.” Her statement carried a mix of sincerity and nonchalance, seemingly innocent in her perspective.

Ever heard anyone say something like that before?

What made this conversation stand out for me was the brief, telling reaction from her companion, a black woman who appeared to be slightly older. It was a subtle flicker of discomfort, perhaps a hint of dismay, quickly concealed as the conversation moved on. The white woman, engrossed in her narrative, seemed completely unaware of this response and continued on.

That moment struck a chord with me, partly because I’d heard other people use this kind of rhetoric before, but also mainly because of the second woman’s reaction to what the first woman had said.

Beyond the metaphorical meaning

It became obvious to me then and there that the white woman’s assertion intended to express impartiality, but instead revealed a lack of awareness of her own privilege and the complexities of racial dynamics.

Could it be that her words, though meant to be reassuring, were overlooking the unique experiences and challenges faced by people of colour? Was it possible that the subtle reaction of the black woman resonated because it highlighted the often silent but profound impact such statements can have on others? What if this experience served as a reminder of the many layers of communication that occur in our interactions – the said and the unsaid, the acknowledged and the overlooked?

As someone who’s colourblind, I’m intimately familiar with the literal challenges of colour perception and “not being able to see colours”. Of course, used in this context, the phrase “I don’t see colour” takes on a different, metaphorical meaning. But could it be that somewhere in there, their appropriation, in this context, was also problematic to those of us who are colourblind?

I’d thought of that before, though never seriously. But seeing a black person’s reaction to those words got me rethinking about concepts I’d been visiting recently, such as bias, stigma, ableism, and racism. And so, here’s my humble attempt at analyzing what might be lurking under the surface.

The dual challenge of racism and ableism

Addressing racism and ableism effectively hinges on the understanding that even our well-meaning words can unintentionally uphold stories that dismiss or overlook the real experiences of those at the margins.

When we speak on touchy subjects like racism and ableism, every word counts; they can either echo old prejudices or open the door to understanding and inclusion. We need to remember that our words hold weight. They shape conversations either towards harmful clichés or toward a culture of respect and understanding. Despite even the best of intentions, language can still overlook important issues without us realizing it. This disconnect between intention and impact is something we can often observe but is rarely acknowledged in everyday conversations.

Those of us who know understand that racism is more than individual prejudice. Racism subtly but powerfully tilts the playing field, weaving through our institutions and often giving an unearned edge to certain groups. This discrimination is not always overt. Subtle yet powerful, it often creeps in through barely noticeable preferences and skewed chances that disproportionately affect people of colour. People who often face a tougher climb due to racial disparities, skewing their shot at opportunities.

That’s why the phrase “I don’t see colours,” used mainly by well-intentioned white individuals, is so problematic on multiple levels. First, it denies the reality of racial differences and, inadvertently, the systemic injustices tied to those differences. It’s a form of erasure, suggesting that everyone’s experiences are the same, regardless of their race – which, of course, we know is not true! Could it be that by claiming to be “colourblind,” one overlooks the unique challenges, suffering, and cultural histories of people of colour?

In similar ways, ableism is discrimination against people living with disabilities. Ableism goes beyond mere physical obstacles. It’s about challenging the deep-seated doubts over what people with disabilities can achieve and even deserve. What we’re up against is the ingrained skepticism about the capabilities and entitlements of individuals with disabilities. When marginalized, people lose more than just status. Crucial chances for their growth and success get slammed shut. Equally problematic, and also rooted in centuries of collective stigma, prejudice, and suffering.

In its own way, equating colourblindness with a lack of prejudice trivializes actual visual impairments. Living with a colour perception deficiency, I’ve faced firsthand the daily hurdles it brings – simple tasks like choosing clothes or reading coloured graphs can turn tricky! Using the word colourblind metaphorically minimizes the challenges of people like myself and overlooks the need for accessibility and understanding in our society. It is, in its own way, another form of such erasure.

And because that particular one hits very close to home, it challenges my relationship with my own privileges as a middle-aged white man. And as a result, it opens my brain up to reflect on the reasons that may have led to that black woman’s subtle yet very real reaction.

Remember, everything is always about perceptions and perspectives. The overlap of racism and ableism in this context only reveals a deeper societal issue. It shows a lack of understanding and respect for both racial differences and disabilities. Which one is disrespected the most in this example matters just as much as the disrespect itself.

Wouldn’t you agree that a thoughtful approach embracing our shared humanity yet respecting each person’s distinct struggles would serve us better?

Avoiding the offensive rhetoric of not seeing colours

This anecdote about not seeing colour is just one example of the many pervasive ways in which racism and ableism rhetorics creep into our language. As a society, we can learn to push back by acknowledging and celebrating diversity, engaging in active listening and learning, promoting Intersectionality, using inclusive language, and embracing authentic allyship.

Addressing how racism and ableism rhetoric seep into our language is crucial in truly celebrating diversity. Recognizing and appreciating each racial group’s unique histories, skills, and viewpoints is more than a passive acknowledgement; it’s an active resistance against the subtle ways discriminatory language can embed itself in our everyday conversations. When we value each person’s racial and cultural heritage, we actively dismantle the language patterns that perpetuate stereotypes and exclusion. Embracing diversity requires actively including varied cultural backgrounds in meaningful ways. In such environments, we consciously counteract the often unnoticed ableist and racist undertones in our dialogue, ensuring that everyone’s story contributes to a collective narrative that is rich, inclusive, and aware of its impact.

Grasping the full weight of racism means we’ve also got to really listen and learn from those who live it daily – people of colour. We’ve got to set up spaces where everyone’s comfortable laying their true thoughts on the line, free from the worry of being shot down or judged. Actively listening involves being fully present, showing empathy, and seeking to understand, rather than to respond or defend! Study the history of racism and how existing societal structures keep affecting people of colour. Wrap your head around its depth. Growth demands that we critically reflect on our own biases, willingly shed outmoded views, and embrace re-education aimed at true equity and justice.

Intersectionality recognizes that every aspect of a person’s identity impacts and shapes their lived experiences in unique ways. The challenges faced by someone dealing with racism, for instance, can and will be compounded by ableism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination. Addressing discrimination is not a one-size-fits-all approach – to do so; we must peel back the layers to see how different biases can stack up and uniquely shape a person’s experience. Promoting Intersectionality leads to more inclusive and effective strategies that consider the full range of experiences and challenges that people face.

But back to our rhetoric of the day. Picking words that honour everyone’s worth and humanity is what inclusive language is all about! Language can include or exclude, empower or demean. When we talk, it’s critical to sidestep clichés and blanket statements that don’t consider everyone’s unique story. Inclusive language values people in their diversity. Embracing this principle means we’re always learning and shifting, and while doing so, our grasp of what it means to be inclusive continually grows. Using the right words matters; it shapes spaces where everyone’s voice holds weight and every person is seen.

And finally, this brings us to authentic allyship, the invested, consistent practice of using one’s privilege to advocate for and stand with marginalized groups. It’s engaging in the hard work to overhaul systems that perpetuate injustice. It’s educating oneself even further while listening to and amplifying the voices of those directly affected. It’s committing to lifelong learning and advocacy, understanding when it’s your time to step up or step back. Indeed, sometimes, the best thing you can do might be to constructively confront “the white woman who doesn’t see colours.” But sometimes, it might be better to simply support anti-racist or anti-ableist policies and initiatives from the sidelines…

Beyond the surface of our words

I don’t really know whether there’s a lesson in today’s post, but should there be one, it might be that we need to shift our focus inward. If you believe that we need to create a society where everyone feels welcome, then we must do a better job at recognizing that our casual words can unintentionally fuel the very stereotypes we’re trying to dismantle. When we say, “I don’t see colour,” or similar phrases, what are we really conveying? Are we unknowingly justifying our stance by invalidating another person’s experience?

And so, unlike that white woman in the restaurant that day, it’s essential to scrutinize the implications of our assertions. Often, statements intended to express non-racism or non-ableism can inadvertently dismiss the very real struggles faced by marginalized communities. Saying we don’t see colour may seem inclusive. However, suppose it overlooks the deep-seated inequalities that affect people of colour every day. In that case, it’s still a subtle form of erasure that, while unintentional, can still be deeply hurtful.

Minimizing another group’s experience with how they perceive the world around them in the process only further stigmatizes others. Surely, we can do better, especially when those words really do come from a place of openness and acceptance. So, let’s be mindful of our words and the hidden messages they may carry, shall we? Let’s commit to a conversation that lifts everyone up, giving due credit and voice to those often left in the shadows. Our attempts to convey understanding or solidarity should never come at the cost of someone else’s reality.

We must remain vigilant in keeping our expressions in check and ensuring they don’t inadvertently dismiss or belittle others’ experiences. After all, that might just be the most anti-racist or anti-ableist action we can take.