On Monday, Starbucks Canada closed their stores for Anti-Bias training, and I was on the radio again to speak about it; this time with Alan Neal at CBC Ottawa’s All in a Day. What strikes me the most about conversations regarding bias is that we tend to focus on behaviours and individuals. This … [Continue reading] The Systemic Nature of Bias
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Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
Yesterday Starbucks closed most of its stores in the USA to provide anti-bias training for their staff. This was part of their response to the incident at one of their locations in Philadelphia where the police were called and two Black men were arrested as they waited for their friend. Starbucks … [Continue reading] Starbucks and Anti-Bias Training
Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
Judge Kristine Eidsvik told her class at the University of Calgary that she was uncomfortable walking into a room "full of big dark people." If you haven’t read the brief article in the Toronto Star, you can read it here. Sigh. Welcome to 2018. This type of comment isn’t surprising or … [Continue reading] Judge Eidsvik’s comments about “dark people”
But You’re White…
Last week I had another interesting experience that has rocked my world a little more. Quite frankly, I should know better. But every time I get to see more, to notice and challenge my assumptions, I grow. That is the point, after all. And because these challenges allow me to see myself and others … [Continue reading] But You’re White…
The Impact of Mental Illness on Who we See
This week I’m going to get a little personal, and tell you about an experience I had with seeing more. I have a brother who has a mental illness. It’s easy to judge him; to see the many ways he “doesn’t cut it” and the things he should be doing (the things that make sense to me, the things that I … [Continue reading] The Impact of Mental Illness on Who we See
How well do you know the people you work with?
A few weeks ago I took an Uber in Washington DC to get to the airport. As we drove, I struck up a conversation with the driver. I like to hear about people’s lives while I’m sitting in the back seat, and I always learn something new – plus I often get to challenge my own biases! Turns out my … [Continue reading] How well do you know the people you work with?
What Images Tell us About Bias and Inclusion
Last week I visited a Health Care Practitioner. As I sat in the in the waiting room I watched the TV screen display with a slide rotation of all of the practitioners who work in the office and offer complimentary care. While there is a range of offerings and small bios underneath so one can … [Continue reading] What Images Tell us About Bias and Inclusion
What we can all Learn From the Toronto Police Video Discussion about a Woman with Down Syndrome
Every once in a while we get to pull the curtain back and see what people are really thinking and saying about others - sometimes even about us. And when it is less than flattering, we are always shocked, hurt, appalled. And we have every right to be, because ideally people (especially those in … [Continue reading] What we can all Learn From the Toronto Police Video Discussion about a Woman with Down Syndrome
The impact of the words we use – Islamic? Islamist?
Today’s Toronto Star newspaper article by Shree Paradkar bears blogging about. It’s a perfect example of how bias works, and how language helps to fuel both unconscious bias, and hatred. The columnist - Shree Paradkar - makes many excellent points. Here are a few of my favourites. You can … [Continue reading] The impact of the words we use – Islamic? Islamist?
Expand Your Mind – What School Doesn’t Teach Us
A few weeks ago I got into a taxi in Toronto. The driver was South Asian (no surprise.) He asked me where I was from and a lively conversation ensued in which he told me about Tamil Nadu, the part of India he is from, and some of its fascinating history and present. I learned that Tamil Nadu … [Continue reading] Expand Your Mind – What School Doesn’t Teach Us