If you've been following my posts for a while, you’ve surely read this is one before: words are powerful. We may use them carelessly, but the messages can stick and inform/lead to/strengthen biases, prejudices, and judgments that can ultimately undermine acceptance and inclusion. My mom is …
unconscious bias
Who are we seeing? Who are we missing?
On a bike ride over the weekend, we came across this poster. At first glance, without a proper look, it’s a feel-good gesture: our health care workers are not only working hard for all of us, but are taking risks every day as they do so. But look closer. What do you see? Who do you …
Memory, Diversity and Inclusion
This week I’m re-reading a book by David Cameron Gikandi called A Happy Pocket Full of Money. It’s a great book about the mindset of abundance. I highly recommend it, it’s a fascinating read. It’s my second time through, and of course different things are jumping out at me this time. Here is …
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 …
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”
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?
Prejudice is Taught Early
It's not new concepts that prejudice (pre-judging) is learned (sometimes taught) and that unconscious bias is insidious. Here is a stellar example of both (and the impact on my 3 year old) that made me particularly furious. Recently I was watching an episode of My Little Pony with my daughter. It's …
Blind Spot
I have recently read Blind Spot - Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald and it blew my mind. I have always focused on bias when developing and delivering workshops on diversity and inclusion, because I firmly believe that it's an important starting point for …