Confronting Bias in all it Forms

We can all contribute to eradicating all forms of discriminatory practices by confronting individuals or group perpetrators through our response to their behavior, especially when they are caught in the act. It could be done in several ways such as:

Calling individual or group out on such behaviors

Creating a diverse group that is truly inclusive with the purpose of exposing discriminatory practices (whether they occur overtly and covertly). Engaging diverse groups through questioning, answering and clarification driven engagements could be effective to changing things and providing learning opportunities to correct inadvertent bias driven behaviors. As we engage in these efforts, we must remember the powerful words of Margaret Mead when she stated,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” M. Mead

For example, if John makes racial or gender bias statements. To such statements, Jim, (John’s friend may say), John,  you make me uncomfortable when you make statements that could be characterized as bias to anyone, especially those whose lives have been directly or indirectly impacted by similar comments.   In her article, Ellen Vessels provides techniques though which gender stereotypes could be confronted. I believe that the strategies Ellen provided could be replicated when dealing with other forms of biases/stereotypes. To read more of Ellen’s article click on the site: http://tinyurl.com/kmeewqv