Becoming Bias-Conscious (Student Perspective)

We are proud to share this piece written by Embark learner Etta S. This piece was inspired by a recent learning experience where learners researched, wrote, and edited blog posts on topics of their choosing related to Framework Cycles. Etta chose to take an investigative look into bias, and how it so often informs the way we move through the world around us, particularly through the lens of commerce.

Written by Etta S. (8th Grade)

Bias is not always identifiable; instead, it is hidden. And like most other things in our life, it is taught. From a young age, you are subconsciously convinced that different people or unfamiliar situations are bad. For instance, a common stereotype is “being feminine is flawed and weak.” This is false; we know this because many powerful women are comfortable in their femininity. But still, we often see women dressing less feminine at work to not be disfavored.

If you look hard enough you can find bias anywhere, but a particular setting interested me. In shops, numerous People Of Color (POC) have shared that they have felt watched, followed, and nervous. According to The Guardian, “More than 90% of Black Americans say they have been racially profiled while shopping.”

They communicated that store owners, customers, and workers would accuse and falsely assume that they were trouble. People of Color often fall victim to being typecast as something they are not. 

So why haven't we just eliminated bias? The fact is that it can never be that simple. What makes these situations so complicated is that the coworker or customer is sometimes unaware of their bias. For some, it is such a natural thing that it's hard to identify it before it's too late. An anonymous writer shared that she was treated differently by her customers and coworkers for working in a “masculine job.” She was often flirted with and treated as if she were dumb because of her gender. 

Applying bias to our life is as much an instinct as putting clothes on every morning. But that's not to say there aren’t any good examples of bias. 

Many corporations have taken a swing by having Sensitivity or Bias Training; however, these classes barely go deep enough to fix the problem. In most companies training is mandatory; in fact, usually, they are low effort with employees that aren't paying attention. But we can always try. I recommend exposing yourself to diverse people and opinions, monitoring your actions, and focusing on facts over assumptions. 

Also if you happen to own a shop I recommend hiring diverse workers, clearly stating that your shop is open to all types of people, and creating an open and comfortable space. You can do this by making the interior designs lighter, colorful, and warm and also straying away from having a cold, colorless atmosphere. 

Apply these tips and your newfound knowledge of bias to eliminate bias in shops, at home, at work, and in life.