Have you ever heard someone call themselves a Person of Colour? It sounds like a simple term, but there’s a lot to unpack in those three words… So let’s get stuck in! 

Being a Person of Colour (POC) basically means being from a cultural background that isn’t white, like having an African, Latinx, Caribbean, Arab, Persian, Asian, Pacific Islander, or multiracial cultural background. Your ethnicity is the specific identity of your cultural heritage, like being Kurdish or Jamaican, while ‘People of Colour’ refers to a broader community.

Some people get confused about whether First Nations folk count as People of Colour, but First Nations people should always be referred to on their own. This is because the experience of First Nations folk and POC in so-called Australia is very different. While POC often experience struggles like racism and the difficulties of settling into a new country, they still have settler privilege. On the other hand, First Nations folk are the Traditional Custodians and experience unique struggles due to the ongoing colonisation and dispossession of their lands. 

As Naarm-based writer, arts worker and community organiser Eugenia Flynn, who identifies as Aboriginal, Chinese and Muslim, mentions in this article:

“I think that when we lump everybody together as ‘people of colour’ … that doesn’t do justice to the racialisation and the racism that is very unique in Australia to Indigenous peoples, to First Nations peoples.”

Why can the term POC be useful? 

As you can see, POC is a very broad term that can basically be used to refer to anyone who is from a non-white and non-First Nations background. Obviously POC aren’t all the same, as there are thousands of different cultures and unique experiences within this broad umbrella group! 

This is why ‘POC’ isn’t always the best term to use when we’re talking about an individual, as it falls into generalisation rather than recognising their specific cultural identity. If you’re not sure, always ask about a person’s cultural background rather than using broad identifiers like ‘POC’. 

So when is the term ‘POC’ useful? 

Well, it can be a helpful means of bringing people together who have the shared experience of not fitting into the dominant white culture. For example, a Vietnamese person and a Tongan person will have very different cultural identities. But in the context of multicultural, settler-colonial countries like so-called Australia, they might share experiences like feeling othered by white folk at school. POC groups and community spaces allow people with these common experiences to come together and support one another. 

The term People of Colour can establish solidarity, and be of benefit to grassroots activism. It’s a term that can signify allyship, mobilise people around a common cause, and offer resources to specific communities. For instance, the People of Colour collective at the University of Melbourne offers a means for students of colour to come together and combat racism in their school, work, and personal lives. 

Finding your POC community

If you’re a Person of Colour, finding your POC community can be a really liberating and affirming experience. As white culture still dominates in Australia, sadly it’s common to feel ashamed about our family, religion and/or culture if we’re not white. 

Growing up in this environment can be really isolating and lead people to develop mental health issues like anxiety and depression. But remember that you are not alone — there are many people like you with similar stories out there. Also remember that your cultural identity makes you unique and special, and it’s something to be really proud of! 

If you don’t have many POC friends and want to start finding your POC community, we recommend checking out if there’s a POC collective at your school or university. If there isn’t one already, you could look into starting your own group! You can also check out organisations like the Centre for Multicultural Youth and (in)visible for QTIPOC youth.

These are just some examples of POC collectives organising social events, safe discussion spaces, and other initiatives to bring communities together. Getting involved with these groups is a great way to make new friends and talk about your experiences with others, who are likely to understand exactly where you are coming from. 

What about the term Woman of Colour? 

As you might’ve guessed, the term Woman of Colour applies to any Person of Colour who identifies as a woman. It’s a useful way of recognising that someone can be subject to intersecting oppressions of gender and race and unifying those with this shared experience. The term first emerged in the 70s within radical feminist circles in the US, who lobbied for the recognition of a shared agenda for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian women. 

As feminist academic and activist Loretta J. Ross explains: 

“Women of Colour is not a biological designation. It is a solidarity definition. A commitment to work in collaboration with other oppressed Women of Colour who have been minoritised. It is a term that has a lot of power.” 

Remember that being a Person of Colour or Woman of Colour is a really awesome thing! Recognising ourselves as part of these communities can lead to many positive things, like taking pride in our cultural heritage, connecting with others who have similar experiences, and banding together to take collective action.