Unconscious Bias Unmasked - A Quirky Way to Breaking Free

Unconscious bias involves implicit attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that influence our judgments and decision-making processes without conscious awareness. It can impact how we perceive, interact, and behave, leading to unintended prejudice. In essence, it's like having a mischievous invisible friend constantly whispering in our ears, shaping our beliefs and judgments. This unconscious bias, though unintentional or non-malicious, is inherent in everyone to some extent. On the other hand, conscious bias occurs when individuals based on their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, knowingly act in ways that favor or discriminate against others. Consider a situation where you visit a new clothing store and notice the salesperson warmly greeting and engaging in friendly conversation with another customer. However, when they approach you, their facial expression becomes neutral, lacking enthusiasm. At that moment, you may wonder if this difference in treatment stems from bias, perhaps because you are dressed casually in shorts and a T-shirt while they are wearing fancy clothes. Such experiences evoke a range of emotions. Everyday examples illustrate the significance of challenging our perceptions and remaining mindful of our biases to ensure fair treatment in our interactions. Unfortunately, biases extend beyond these everyday scenarios and can profoundly impact our lives. For instance, during job applications, a hiring manager might unconsciously favor a candidate who attended the same university, assuming similar capabilities. Hiring teams may unconsciously underestimate the qualifications of candidates with foreign names, associating them with potential language barriers, leading to their qualifications being underestimated. The effects of unconscious bias range from small to large, and it is crucial for us all to reflect upon the importance of treating everyone fairly without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. However, our brains have a natural tendency to categorize people, and if we are not mindful of our behavior or fail to reflect upon it, we may unknowingly treat individuals unequally. Let’s start by acknowledging that biases are acquired through our cultural and experiential backgrounds, often influenced by the context in which we live.These biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can inadvertently reinforce stereotypes or misconceptions about different cultures, resulting in ineffective or culturally insensitive practices. Some ways to counteract this may include:

• Engaging in activities that highlight our commonalities and shared preferences can foster an understanding that we all belong to the same human group. 
• Having open conversations and nurturing a sense of belonging can raise consciousness and promote awareness. 
• Promoting awareness and providing training to educators, administrators, policymakers, and individuals at large. 
• Implementing inclusive policies and embracing multiple perspectives can contribute to building a more equitable and culturally responsive educational system.
• Encouraging dialogue, fostering cultural exchange, and celebrating diversity are also powerful means to diminish unconscious biases.

By understanding and challenging our biases, we can cultivate a more equitable and enriching global education experience for all. Additionally, we can metaphorically create another mischievous invisible friend who constantly asks us about our shared qualities with others, the experiences they might be going through, and the positive aspects they possess.Then, let's join forces, spread the word, and continue the quest for a world where diversity and inclusion reign supreme!Remember, the true treasure lies in embracing our differences and celebrating the kaleidoscope of cultures that make up our global community.Watch these videos: 

• Implicit bias unwrapped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoBvzI-YZf4
• Brain Tricks: https://www.youtubekids.com/watch?v=JiTz2i4VHFw 

Play this Interactive activity: https://lms.trainerbubbledigital.com//free-elearning/unconscious-bias-free-quiz/story.html Take action:

• Create or join an educational forum to share information and discuss everyday bias, for example, Community Justice Challenge - YWCA South Florida start by showing examples of unconscious bias and discrimination in your daily life.
• Follow some hashtags on social media that promote inclusivity, such as #BeyondStereotypes, #UnconsciousBias, #BiasBusters, and #ywcaonamission. Contribute by sharing your experience and liking other people's pictures and experiences.

By Andrea ClavijoLearn more about our Global Education Program today!