Some people genuinely believe that the best way to treat everyone fairly is to “not see race.” It’s often presented as a virtuous statement, “I don’t see colour,” meant to show that a person judges others only by character or actions.
At first glance, it might sound like an antidote to prejudice. In reality, it’s a misconception that can do more harm than good, because it confuses sameness with fairness, and formal equality with real equity.
The idea of “not seeing race” assumes that treating everyone the same will automatically create a fair and just society. But fairness isn’t about sameness, it’s about recognising and addressing the barriers that prevent some people from having the same opportunities as others.
Pretending not to notice race ignores the fact that racism shapes people’s lives in real and measurable ways. It influences access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment. It affects how safe someone feels in public, how they’re treated by institutions, and the kinds of opportunities they’re offered, or denied.
When someone claims they “don’t see colour,” they can unintentionally dismiss the lived experiences of people who face racism every day. It becomes a way to avoid difficult but necessary conversations about discrimination, privilege, and systemic inequality.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and other racialised communities, hearing that phrase can feel like being told their history and struggles are invisible or unimportant. It can erase cultural identity instead of celebrating it, and it shuts down the space needed for listening, learning, and truth‑telling.
This mindset doesn’t just ignore racism, it can help keep it in place.
If we refuse to acknowledge race, we can’t address the systemic barriers that exist because of it. Avoiding these realities makes it easier for institutions and individuals to avoid responsibility, and harder for meaningful change to take root. Progress toward equity requires understanding how race impacts lives, and using that understanding to inform solutions.
Challenging this misconception starts with listening, really listening, to the lived experiences of First Nations peoples and other communities impacted by racism. It means recognising where “ignoring race” has reinforced inequality or led to poor outcomes.
It also means building our anti‑racism skillset, and supporting those most affected by racism to take leadership roles in shaping solutions. By acknowledging the impact of race, rather than pretending it doesn’t matter, we can move from a shallow idea of equality toward genuine, lasting equity.
Not seeing race doesn’t end racism. Seeing it clearly, honestly, and without defensiveness is the first step toward dismantling the systems that sustain it.