Training Briefs® I’m Color Blind

Encouraging respect for ourselves and others does not mean failing to recognize our differences (race, religion, etc.) when they affect our understanding of a situation, our impact on others or our relationships. No matter how you may feel as an individual, color consciousness exists in our society and is the lived experience of many people.

Many people see being “color blind” as a solution to racial bias. But it can keep us from seeing what’s happening right in front of us. Our society as well as the workplace is not color blind. It never has been.

Points of identity, like gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background or age... all matter to people. To say that you don’t see them is denying the existence of something that has a significant impact on our relationships. So, you can’t address inequity if you don’t recognize when biases cause people to be treated unfairly.