My complicity in racism

I always considered myself to be anti-racist; I married into a multicultural family and have lived in Asia, Europe and The Middle East. My work has involved supporting communities process the horrendous repercussions of war and communities divided by hate. But, an uncomfortable realisation has been dawning on me. I'd thought that being blind to skin colour was a stance of inclusivity and unity. Now I realise seeing everyone as 'the same' was borne out of a sense of privilege that leads to negligence, avoidance and denial of the depths and expansive reach of racial injustice and discrimination. I never needed to ignore skin colour, I needed to stand against any implication that skin colour has any bearing on a human's value. I now choose to look directly and listen deeper, so that I can be a better friend, family member and neighbour.