Confronting Biases
Janet:
As we follow stories in the news, in The Atlantic, Texas Monthly and our local publications, we have questioned our own biases and of course, we have them, but we’re challenging them. We write about trauma and we’re strongly in favor of personal healing through writing, but that’s out of a profound commitment to improving ourselves for the betterment of us and those around us. We talked about articles, and became curious about how racial bias affects both of us and everybody else.
Marie:
Implicit bias is far more prevalent than conscious prejudice and often incompatible with one’s conscious values. Certain scenarios can activate unconscious attitudes and beliefs. For example, biases may be more prevalent when multi-tasking or working under time pressure.
From University of California, San Francisco’s Office of Diversity and Outreach
We all hold underlying, unconscious beliefs that stem from the human habit of categorizing, trying to organize our world and perceptions. Unconscious biases are stereotypes that we form outside of our own awareness. Sometimes they are passed down through generations.
Once we understand that this is one way a human mind tries to sort things out, it can be brought to light and re-sorted. Then, and only then, there’s a chance to set it right. The best way to undo beliefs that do not serve us is to become aware; increase awareness by connecting, having conversation and discussion.
Excerpt from Between the World and Me
By Ta-Nehisi Coates
The destroyers will rarely be held accountable. Mostly they will receive pensions. And destruction is merely the superlative form of a dominion whose prerogatives include friskings, detainings, beatings, and humiliations. All of this is common to black people. And all of this is old for black people. No one is held responsible. There is nothing uniquely evil in these destroyers or even in this moment. The destroyers are merely men enforcing the whims of our country, correctly interpreting its heritage and legacy. It is hard to face this. But all our phrasing—race relations, racial chasm, racial justice, racial profiling, white privilege, even white supremacy—serves to obscure that racism is a visceral experience, that it dislodges brains, blocks airways, rips muscle, extracts organs, cracks bones, breaks teeth. You must never look away from this. You must always remember that the sociology, the history, the economics, the graphs, the charts, the regressions all land, with great violence, upon the body.
Marie:
As the pandemic and the protests continue, we continue to try to meet the challenges these events demand by writing, speaking out, and simply feeling and exploring our feelings about it all – this has become our focus right now. We’re approaching the tipping point for a better future, and now is the time to lean in.
Janet:
Entering onto the path of self-discovery, I wrote a deeply personal piece, based on my own experience.
What Does it Matter?
By Janet
Fueling my car, a man approaches, talks, and asks for help and, I think of escape, how to turn, and ignore him. I ask myself, “What tools do I have to protect myself? Why did I look up?”
He smiles; he needs help and tells me his problem. I think fast, “Not now, who the heck are you?” “Why me and not some guy?” “Sorry, I don’t know you.”
My heart beats extra beats. Then, I see him.
He’s just a man talking.
I am not racist. I have proof. But what if I am? How can I tell? Is it part of my skin, in my cells, a river that travels in my breath, and through the beat of my heart?
I stop and remember. He is just a man talking. I say, “Yes. Sure, I’ll help.”
He gets gas. I see his wife, and she smiles.
He’s black with gold teeth; I’m white with pearls,
We look at each other for seconds. He thanks me. I smile and shake his hand.
You’re welcome.
We stand, face to face, just being human.
It matters.
Now is not the time to stay silent. Talk about it. Bring it up, and join the conversation. Here are a list of resources we found helpful during this time and encourage you to explore as we all work to become better citizens, but most importantly, better people. Because supporting human rights is more than a civic duty, it’s compassion.