Skip to main content

Katharine Means- Hidden Bias

It was interesting to read that many studies show bias beginning to form in children as young as age 3. In early development "children pick up terms of racial prejudice without really understanding their significance". Once we as a society accept this fact, we can begin to nurture learning and home environments that ask kids to question their values and beliefs. Adults can also assume a responsibility for pointing out stereotypes to children rather than thinking the stereotypes will go over the children's heads.

Initially I was a bit nervous to take these tests and be confronted with the evidence that I harbor unconscious bias. However, both the article and Evelyn alleviated this worry by normalizing hidden bias. It is something we all possess as human beings. A benefits of these tests is that "the very act of taking the tests can force hidden biases into the conscious part of the mind". This uncovering can help people commit to making a conscious effort to change their behaviors so as not to reflect their biases.

Overall I was reminded of an important concept I've heard from others. The first thought that goes through your mind is what you've been conditioned to think. What you think, and do, next defines who you are now. By uncovering hidden biases we can make an active effort to move away from them towards a more accepting worldview.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rachel Tibbetts - What a Riot

Schutzman starts off this reflection with an excerpt from the play she created. The opening lines serve to give recognition and context to the subject matter by immediately dedicating the show to Rosa Parks. This is an extremely effective strategy to introduce the tone and subject matter of the piece. The addition of Claudette at the end was the “icing on the cake” to the introductory excerpt. Raising questions and therefore instantly opening up a dialogue. Schutzman approached the students by asking questions while also letting them choose the person/people they wanted to learn about and also depict in the play. I think entering a school with something to teach is the idealistic approach to interacting with students; when students are in class they are expecting to be taught and ask questions. This is the exact approach Shutzman used. This allowed her to familiarize herself with the student community and find their interests, question...
Post a Comment
Read more

Katharine Means What a Riot! Response

In 2005 Mady Shutzman was invited by CalArts CAP to write a play for the teenage participants Plaza de la Raza arts center in East Los Angeles to perform. At first I was intrigued by this, as my limited knowledge of Boal and Theatre of the Oppressed techniques has been around the participatory games, activities, and techniques used to build community. I know some about Forum and Legislative Theatre, but had little conception of what a TO play would look like. Shutzman's piece, UPSET! , was modeled using Boal's Joker System. There is a character called the Joker who probes the characters and audience during the play with the "ultimate goal to raise questions, offer multiple points of view, and encourage dialogue". Shutzman used this form as a "means to incorporate the teens curiosity, dismay, outrage, confusion, fear, and inspiration in relation to the subject matter of the play within the play." The teens decided upon Rodney King and Claudette Colvin (a youn...
Post a Comment
Read more