Unconscious or implicit bias is negative or positive attitudes/stereotypes that unconsciously affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. We all have our own unique unconscious bias that is influenced by many things, including the media we consume, the communities we participate in, and culture.
Unconscious or implicit bias can influence how we perceive different identity groups. Because of implicit bias, we may exclude or stereotype against certain groups without realizing it.
One way that implicit bias can appear in our daily interactions are through microaggressions. These are subtle, insensitive comments or actions that relate to someone's identity including race, class, and disability. For example, asking someone, "Where are you really from?".
Because of this, it's important to continually reflect, learn, and work on unlearning these biases. Be aware of how your own biases and prejudices influence your perspective and the words that you use. Often, the dominant perspective is considered universal and objective, and the perspectives of marginalized groups are considered "other". Be aware of who you are including or excluding when making general statements, writing in the passive voice, or when using the editorial "We". Who are you speaking for?
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