Welcome to this workshop offered by Ribas Associates & Publications. “Thoughts and feelings are implicit if we are unaware of them or mistaken about their nature.
We have a bias when, rather than being neutral, we have a preference for (or an aversion to) a person or a group of people.” Perception Institute retrieved July 14, 2020
Recent race/religious related events targeting African American, Muslim, Jewish, and Asian American communities has demonstrated the need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. It has re-awakened the country and the world to the problem of both conscious and implicit bias that can cause good people to say or do the wrong thing. As we are exploring bias in our society, we are becoming more aware of other groups who are actively experiencing bias in our communities and even in our schools. In addition to Race (Asian Americans, African Americans, Latinx Americans, Native Americans) other forms of implicit bias include: Socio Economic Status, Culture, Special Needs, Gender, Religion (antisemitism, antimuslimism), LGBTQ+, Non-Traditional Families, and others (e.g. Sizeism).
There is no simple solution or list of “strategies” educators can use to eliminate all of these biases as they exist in our schools. Doing so takes a commitment on the part of the district and individual staff members to systemic assessment, planning, and implementation. Our goals for this program are simpler. By the conclusion of this six-hour, online, asynchronous program educators will (without feelings of guilt):