We each hold stereotypes and preferences we aren’t consciously aware of—it's part of being human. Even when we mean well, our biases can cause us to post in ways that may make neighbors feel unwelcome or even unsafe. Identifying our underlying associations and attitudes is the first step to posting in ways that are helpful rather than harmful.
How do we see something that we aren’t consciously aware of? It’s hard to know what we don’t know. But researchers at Harvard have developed a series of tests you can take to help understand your underlying associations and attitudes in several areas, including race. By answering a series of questions, you can learn your blindspots and how your experiences shape the way you see the world.
Harvard
Implicit bias videos and resources
UCLA
NY Times
Kirwan Institute at Ohio State
Research on perception and bias
The Perception Institute
Does having a bias mean someone is racist? No. All of us, no matter what our backgrounds, have implicit associations and biases.
The problem is that these unconscious biases may lead to people being treated differently in ways that make them feel targeted or even unsafe. UCLA’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion created a video that describes the real world consequences of bias. And in Oakland, CA, The East Bay Express interviewed neighbors to collect the stories of people impacted by implicit bias and racial profiling in their neighborhoods:
When we recognize the biases in our thinking, there are steps we can take to reduce the negative impact we might have on others.
For example, we can ask ourselves: How would I feel about this situation if that person were of my own race? Is the activity itself suspicious, or is my suspicion being triggered by the person's race?
When we take a moment to reflect, we’re less likely to profile a person based on their appearance, and can instead focus on identifying genuinely suspicious behaviors in our neighborhoods.
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