What is my bias? I am probably struggling with this assignment like everyone else. When I struggle an assignment around a word I go looking for definition as starting point. I went to dictionary.com and this is the definition I got a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice. Merriam- Webster online dictionary gave this definition an inclination of temperament or outlook especially a personal and sometime unreasoned judgment - prejudice. So what does this mean, I have to look hard at myself and examine my beliefs to see what my prejudices are. I think two of biggest biases are around race and poverty, but I can only pick one.
What is my bias? and Where does it come from? – I think I’m bias towards people of a specific ethnic background, especially African Americans and Mexicans. It is not the color of their skin that is problem. Growing up, there were only a few African Americans in my classes. It is the type of interaction I have had them, especially the African American women seem to have a block of their shoulders and an attitude. During my interactions with them even when I tried to talk to them a calmly and all the seemed in return was to get attitude and negativity. Most of the images on television and the media represent them as criminals and look at who is mostly represented in our prison population along with Mexicans/Latinos. I took the opportunity to learn more about their struggle for equal rights during the major civil rights period of our country during an internship at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.
What does this mean for me as a teacher and creating an equitable learning environment? – I agree with the statement some of my reading say about being color blind. They say “there is no way to be color blind, but treat all your students with respect because they are human beings.” This means I need to be aware of how I am treating and looking at my students. I need to learn about other ethnic backgrounds and bring what I have learned into the classroom, but be open to inviting everyone into the discussion. But I also want to open this discussion up to learning about those from ethnic backgrounds they may not have exposure to on a daily bases like the Asian American experience.
In addition, when I was looking for the definition bias I ran across this website Teaching Tolerance – A Project of the Southern Poverty Law center http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias. The site analyzed different definitions associated with bias and how we learn it.
I can hear your bias in your writing about African Americans and Mexicans. It sounds like your negative experiences with only a few African Americans in your classes have shaped your experiences with this minority. I would be interested in hearing whether or not you’ve had more recent positive experiences with African American people, particularly women.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about African Americans and Mexicans mostly being represented in our prison populations has me perplexed. What is the point of this comment, and how does it shape your bias? It almost sounds as if you’re defending your bias because of this. Thoughts?
I don’t feel that it is my place to say that this is right or wrong. I believe that understanding our bias is important, especially as teachers. As teachers we need to have an environment in our classrooms that doesn’t allow our bias’s to affect our teaching or students. Biases do affect us for sure but if we are aware of the bias we have, we will hopefully be able to keep them at bay, and keep equality in the classroom.
ReplyDelete