Day 8 - Feb 27

Bias and Stereotypes

“Worse than being less than you, is if you are perceived as a threat”

― John A. Powell

READ

Cognitive Biases: What They Are and How They Affect You by Itamar Shatz

Cognitive biases affect every area of our life, from how we form our memories, to how we shape our beliefs, and to how we form relationships with other people. In this article, you will learn more about cognitive biases, understand why we experience them, see what types of them exist, and find out what you can do in order to mitigate them successfully. (long)

Don’t Talk about Implicit Bias Without Talking about Structural Racism by Kathleen Osta and Hugh Vasquez, National Equity Project

This article discusses that " in order to lead to meaningful change, any exploration of implicit bias must be situated as part of a much larger conversation about how current inequities in our institutions came to be, how they are held in place, and what our role as leaders is in perpetuating inequities despite our good intentions." (medium)

How to Think about 'Implicit Bias' by Keith Payne, Laura Niemi, and John M. Doris

Amid a controversy, it’s important to remember that implicit bias is real—and it matters (short)

LISTEN

Invisibilia: The Culture Inside

Is there a part of ourselves that we don't acknowledge, that we don't even have access to and that might make us ashamed if we encountered it? Scientific research has shown that even well meaning people operate with implicit bias - stereotypes and attitudes we are not fully aware of that nonetheless shape our behavior towards people of color. (56:22)

Race Bias in Hiring: When Both Applicant and Employer Lose from Outsmarting Implicit Bias

In a groundbreaking study, sociologist Devah Pager showed that being Black hurts an applicant's chances of being hired just as much as a felony conviction. What do decisions based on gut instincts mean for the survival of a business? (8:56)

WATCH

How To Overcome Our Biases? TEDx by Verna Myers

Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Verna Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how. (18:00)

Let's Talk Bias from PBS Learning Media

Bias can take many forms, and impacts various groups in different ways. In this Youth Collective video produced by Reel Works, five young people share stories of experiencing bias targeted at their unique identities. (5:00)

Who, Me? Biased?

What is implicit bias? NYT/POV's Saleem Reshamwala unscrews the lid on the unfair effects of our subconscious. (2:30)

Check Our Bias to Wreck Our Bias

Signs of implicit bias lurk within our inboxes, social networks and the patterns of our daily lives. Looking at our own data can help us change our ways. (3:00)

What is Cultural Appropriation?

What is culture? Can it even be appropriated? Is there a difference between appreciation and appropriation? (10:30)

How Do You Handle a Racist Joke?

Racist Jokes can happen anywhere. And more than just being offensive racist humor can actually be oppressive. So how do you handle these awkward moments without just blowing up? Watch the episode to find out. (4:32)

EXTRAS

ACTION

Go deeper and take Project Implicit's Hidden Bias tests, created by psychologists at top universities, to uncover some of your own unconscious biases. Remember, having biases doesn’t make you a bad person—it only makes you human. TIP: Proceed as a guest to access their library of tests and find out your implicit associations about race, gender, sexual orientation, skin tone, and other topics.

SONG

Brighter Day by Michael Franti & Spearhead

POEM

Strange Patterns by Carrie Allen McCray

ART

Maia Cruz Palileo, We Walked For Hours, 2021, Oil on panel, 40 x 30"

REFLECTION FOR THE DAY

Why does bias exist? Consider how our brains evolved and how we have been influenced by our social/ cultural environment. What interventions can you commit to doing to reduce your own bias?

After today's challenge work:

Did you have any ‘a-ha’ moment?

Did you feel any discomfort?

What will you do differently based on your challenge today?

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Final Reflection

Report a Broken Link

Suggestions for Future Content

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