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.
