Bias can be broken if you take the right steps. How do we deconstruct bias beyond awareness? How do we “break bias?”

We have a filter in our brain that helps us interpret what we see and hear. It

filters out information that is not threatening, not important and not in our

perceived reality.

We form our biases based on our experiences, what we hear and what we

see. Based on our biases we make assumptions, which result in actions,

which can lead to exclusion, discrimination or avoidance.

Much has been written about unconscious bias that we’re not aware we

have. We’re not responsible for the messages we received growing up, but

we are responsible for what we do once we become aware of the impact

those messages have had on our thinking and actions today. Too often the

discussion of bias only deals with recognition but lacks accountability and

transformation.

In addition, not all bias is unconscious. There is bias that is deliberate and

conscious and there is the bias that leads people to stereotypes others and

believe they are right. When our bias is unconscious, we’re not aware of our

actions and the impact that we have on others. When our bias is conscious or

deliberate, we are aware of our actions, but think we are justified because of

how we consciously feel about a whole group. It doesn’t occur to us that we

might be wrong.

If you think you either have no bias, know you may have unconscious bias,

or that you stereotype people different than you, read on.

Suggested action:

Be conscious of your visceral reaction or any thoughts or judgments you

have about the next 3 people you see. What story or impression

immediately comes to mind before you give it second thought?

Notice their age, clothing, skin color, age and any other visible

characteristics at the root of your bias and the first story you created.

Next create a different story about what they do and who they are. Seeing

other possibilities will help filter out your biases and wrong assumptions

about people.

Ex. You’re an extroverted White woman at a large dinner party interacting in

a discussion with different people sitting near you.

You’re sitting next to a Black woman named Charlene who is not looking at

you nor engaging in your discussion. You turn your back to Charlene and

ignore her the rest of the evening.

After the dinner you approach the host and tell her that you know Charlene

doesn’t like White people because she wouldn’t talk to you

The host who is also White informs you that Charlene is her best friend and

is extremely shy in groups and does much better in direct one-on-one

interaction, and that in fact the two of you share a love of spectator sports.

How could you have avoided making a wrong assumption about Charlene?

What was the basis for assuming she didn’t like White people.

How to Destruct Unconscious or Conscious Bias

• Become aware and admit that we all have biases, even you.

• Notice your initial thoughts when you are around people different than you

• Think and ask yourself:

– Where did this particular bias originate?

– What’s different today?Smart

• Determine whether you are forming an opinion based on an individual’s

actions, or because of a stereotype you have about the group you think

they represent

• If you have a bias about another person, be open to the possibility that you

may be wrong, and be willing to accept evidence that is counter to

your belief

` Be conscious of your biases before you act on them

• Take advantage of opportunities to interact with people who are different

than you. Look for areas of commonality.

• Be aware of you biases about specific groups and think of people you

know from those groups that don’t fit that stereotype.

• Examine those stereotypes and think back to where and when those

stereotypes originated.

• List your own dimensions of diversity, race, color, ethnicity, age, etc.

Think of messages you’ve heard about any of those dimensions, as

well as any time someone has made a wrong assumption about you

based on one of those dimensions. Doesn’t it sound logical that if

other people hold a stereotype or make a wrong assumption about you

based on your diversity dimensions, that you might be wrong about

them?

• As an exercise in breaking through bias, create a dialogue where you play

each other’s role, and speak as though you were the other person.