Understanding Implicit Bias

Reflection #3: Implicit Associations

By: Hannah Reed

Implicit bias is something most people have come in contact with at some point in their lives, it is the unconscious attitudes and associations we have towards people. I recently took a couple implicit bias tests to see where I stand. I can say that I was happy with my results but also a little weary. I know that I am guilty of behaving a particular way towards people based on my own implicit bias.

I have been hurt on multiple occasions from people holding implicit bias towards me as a black woman. Some people honestly do not think before they speak and it reflects the ideologies they were taught as a child. I have had people ask me if my hair was real… because a black girl could not possibly have hair that long and it be real. I have also had people come up to me and ask me how I speak so well and after this I get asked where I received my education; as if I could not possibly speak eloquently without the help of white teachers. I have to remind myself that these biases people hold have nothing to do with me. These are judgements that people are taught to feel and have observed in society since they were a child.

The news is an excellent example of a ginormous media product that constantly shows not only implicit bias, but sometimes just flat out stereotypes people of color. The news, whether it be a station that swings left or right can still show implicit bias. This happens when you turn on the news and constantly see stories that paint Black people, specifically Black men as criminals and somehow less human. This happens when news stations blast out stories of crime but rarely show white people committing crimes, instead they go to urban areas and only cover Black crime and make the public see Black people as deserving of the short end of the stick form society. Rarely do news stations take the same initiative to highlight positive things happening in the Black community.

I would consider myself comfortable with talking about implicit bias and white privilege but the reality is that I wish I could do more. When I am having a conversation with someone I can usually tell how likely it is that they will make some sort of racial remark (remember that this may be unintentional). However, the ball is put in my court after the remark is made based on how I choose to respond. This obviously depends on how offensive the remark was. I try to be an understanding person and remove how “nice” a person is to try to uncover the root of the issue. Was this remark made because this was something you were taught? Are you trying to get a reaction from me? Or in most cases, was this a remark you have made countless other times and no one checked you? I choose to let someone know how I feel. If a remark is made that I find offensive, I will comment on it, but also try to get why the person felt the need to make the comment. Especially if the remark was meant to be a compliment; then I try to get the person to understand whatever piece of the statement they made that was offensive and how they could rephrase it.