Monday, January 23, 2012

Hidden Bias


Before taking the hidden bias test, I assumed that my results would show a slight preference for the white race as opposed to the black race. I have grown up in an almost completely white community and have not had much interaction with people that are black. Where one is comfortable is where one will prefer. I would in no way consider myself a racist, I am accepting of all people.
My results did indicate a slight preference for the white faces and revealed my 'hidden bias,' which wasn't so hidden because it was exactly what I was expecting. I am curious about how results over different parts of the city and the Chicagoland area vary. I wonder if there is an area where the majority of people's results would show no bias.
In the explanation of the test, they say that hidden bias' come from conformity. I don't think this is true. I think that hidden bias' come from the type of environment you live in. In Deerfield, I am not exposed to much diversity but that doesn't mean that I have negative feelings towards people who aren't white. Another thing that I am wondering is, how do communities where people are almost all the same race form? My parents always say that they chose to live in Deerfield because it is a safe community. This is true, but even the safest communities have major flaws. There have been bomb threats at my school, a murder in my neighborhood and the poverty rate in our town is at an all time high. I wonder if my parents associate safety with racial stereotypes.

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