wake up bias

Bias is not something people are dying to talk about. I sure don’t want to think I’m biased. After all, one of the most important things for me personally is supporting people to be their best. I am committed to ALL people, so how could I be biased? Except that I do, like everyone else. It is part of the normal human condition to judge, evaluate, and see where we fit in. After all, we have a tribal mentality, always looking to belong. A highly respected anthropologist recently said on a call that we are always looking for the answer to “Am I okay?” and “Do I belong?”.

These fundamental people issues require judging and evaluating. This is how we survive in the world in many ways. However, much of our bias is hidden from view. it’s unconscious. We don’t believe it or intend it to do any harm, but it does.

One area that is receiving a lot of attention is gender disparity in the United States. In my local newspaper today there was an article about the technology sector. The article was based on an EEOC report on the lack of diversity in the technology sector. “In a survey of women scientists it showed: Two-thirds of women reported having to prove themselves over and over again, with their success discounted and experience questioned. Three-quarters of black women reported this problem. Fifty-three percent percent of women reported a backlash for speaking their minds directly. Two-thirds of women with children say their commitment and competence were questioned and opportunities diminished after having children.”

I was discussing this with a client who works in technology. She was noting that she hasn’t seen overt bias. However, the more we talked, she could see that there were many instances and circumstances of unconscious bias. She was just used to it. You don’t know what you are unconscious of. What you are unaware of, you cannot impact it.

I think if we want to level the playing field, to end gender disparity, we have to become aware of our own biases and we need to notice and call attention to those biases that we observe. It is only by educating ourselves and each other that we have any hope of impacting the future.

I know this is not an easy or comfortable conversation, however I believe it is necessary. It’s risky to consider change: people resist, for the most part. We like to be comfortable, so the status quo is maintained. I’m going to keep looking at where I have unconscious biases and invite you to do the same. Wake yourself and others to the bias and the damage it is causing. Education produces change. I invite all of you to make a difference in our lives and in the future by ending gender disparity.