Black Quote by Jane Elliott
“When you say to a person of colour, 'When I see you, I don't see you Black; I just see everybody the same' think about that. You don't have the right to say to a person, 'I do not see you as you are; I want to see you as I would be more comfortable seeing you.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Anti‑Racism Training Workshop, 1990s by Jane Elliott
Claiming to “see everyone the same” erases racial identity and can be dismissive; true equality respects differences while promoting fairness.
In simple terms: Pretending color doesn’t exist can be harmful.
Acknowledge identity while fostering inclusion.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- classroom discussions
- diversity training
- community dialogues
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we honor individuality without erasing race?
- What does “seeing everyone the same” really mean?
Ignoring race ignores lived experiences and systemic issues.