My BiASES

Biases - I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Eastern Iowa.  I lived a normal childhood with two loving parents, friends similar to my likes and hobbies.  With a roof over my head, food and clothing provided daily, and an above average education.  A typical Iowa farm life.  

What I didn't know was people of color.  There were no people of color in our school and the only interaction I had with people of color was when we went to the city.  Because of my childhood experiences, my biases were developed from my home environment and the guidance from my family.  I wasn't taught to be a racist, but I do recall certain prejudices towards other races that were discussed between my family members.  This was the framework of Jerry's biases.

When I left the farm and joined the Navy, I immediately came in contact with people of different race and beliefs.  This was a humbling experience as I spoke with other sailors about their childhoods and the different trials and tribulations that they had to endure.  I quickly became friends with many of these sailors and ultimately counted on each for my life while stationed on submarines, aircraft carriers, and other Navy vessels.  My Navy experience built upon my bias framework and I believe framed where I am at today.

I believed that my biases are limited to those interactions I had on the farm and in the Navy.  I also believed that my interactions with other people was not based on prejudices, but  through my own lens, and that lens was clear of any biases.  

I now realize that I was "SO WRONG".  I do have biases, no matter how slight.  I realize that I do look at people differently.  But I can say that I always attempt to treat people with dignity and respect, not based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other differences. 

I participated in the Implicit Association Test and was surprised by my results.  I expected positive results and surprisingly, I  was labeled as having "a weak negative attitude towards black people".  

Interesting, only for the fact that I have friends, colleagues, and family (i.e. grandson and daughter-in-law) that are black and I have positive relationships with.  What I have came to realize is that may be the case because of certain mental models I developed over my life.   I understand that I am susceptible to these biases and I have to ensure I don't allow those biases to get in the way of my interactions in my daily life.  

So for me it is simple, to attack my biases, I need to learn it isn't "us versus them", or "familiar versus unfamiliar", but rather we, or equal.