Skip to main content
Opinion

To deal with implicit bias, we must accept that it exists

Share
Dr. Rashad Richey National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.
Share

The concept of implicit bias has become a polarizing issue in America. Implicit bias is defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as “a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally, that nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors.” As a result, it can have an impact on everything from the workplace to government and law enforcement. States like Michigan have required bias training for some workers, as has the Dept. of Homeland Security. However, some cities are pushing back and even banning implicit bias mandates.

Straight Arrow News contributor Rashad Richey says dismissing implicit bias is a mistake. He says we must accept that implicit bias exists in all of us if we’re going to deal with the problem.

The reality is being implicitly biased is not evil. It is human. As a matter of fact, every human being that develops to a particular social reality will, in fact, develop implicit bias. Let me put it to you another way. Instead of utilizing the terminology “implicit bias,” let’s call it preference. Do you have a preference? That means you have a bias, okay? Do you have a preference and you’re not quite sure why you have that preference? Why you either like or don’t like a particular thing? That’s called “implicit,okay?

You are not aware of where it came from, talking about the reason for your preference. Implicit bias works exactly the same. You see, our subconscious mind analyzes 11 million thoughts a day. But our conscious mind can analyze roughly 40,000. What does that mean? That means that our entire day, we are engaged in a mental exercise of implicit bias, everybody. Now, how does it connect to policy? Well, policies are created by people, all people have implicit bias. What about law enforcement? Well law enforcement, they engage communities and many times they engage these communities with either hyper-aware bias, meaning they are aware of their own bias, or they are not.

You see, both are very dangerous. Why would we want to eliminate programs that actually would start addressing the issue of the underlying prejudice, that leads to bad behavior from government employees, police officers in particular? You see, implicit bias was never something that should have become a political issue, because it is not. I have implicit bias, you have implicit bias. When these biases start to adversely impact the societal construct around us, that’s when the biases need to be checked. Because the reality is if you do not check the implicit bias that you do have, that implicit bias will end up checking you.

Okay, let’s talk about something that truly impacts policy. It impacts the way we manage, supervise and even regulate relationships. It permeates in political, government, private, public, is everywhere. I’m talking about implicit bias. Now I’m going somewhere with this don’t tune out. Before you hear all of the explanation. The reality is being implicitly bias is not evil. It is human. As a matter of fact, every human being that develops to a particular social reality will, in fact, develop implicit bias. Let me put it to you another way. Instead of utilizing the terminology, implicit bias, let’s call it preference, do you have a preference? That means you have a bias? Okay? Do you have a preference? And you’re not quite sure why you have that preference? Why you either like or don’t like a particular thing? That’s called implicit. Okay? You are not aware of where it came from talking about the reason for your preference. Implicit bias works exactly the same. You see, our subconscious mind analyzes 11 million thoughts a day. But our conscious mind can analyze roughly 40,000. What does that mean? That means that our entire day, we are engaged in a mental exercise of implicit bias, everybody. Now, how does it connect to policy? Well, policies are created by people, all people have implicit bias? What about law enforcement or law enforcement, they engage communities and many times they engage these communities with either hyper aware bias, meaning they are aware of their own bias, or they are not. You see, both are very dangerous. Why would we want to eliminate programs that actually would start addressing the issue of the underlying prejudice, that leads to bad behavior from government employees, police officers in particular, you see, implicit bias was never something that should have become a political issue, because it is not. I have implicit bias, you have implicit bias, when these biases start to adversely impact the societal construct around us, that’s when the biases need to be checked. Because the reality is, if you do not check the implicit bias that you do have, that implicit bias will end up checking you. And by extension, it will adversely impact the society your community deserves better. My community deserves better. I’m not saying you need to agree with me in everything that I believe. I’m just saying, we should all agree that being prejudice, that being bias against a particular individual, because of our own preferences, is not a good way to run a company is not a good way to run a government and frankly, is not a good way to live. So let’s deal with it upfront, rather than creating policies to make it illegal to teach diversity, inclusion and equity. Let’s talk about it from a common sense standpoint. Do you think you have implicit bias? Let me save you the trouble? The answer is yes, you do have implicit bias. You have implicit bias just as easily as you have the ability to be angry, or to be happy, to be sad or to experience joy. You see, these things are not debatable. These are facts about the human journey. So let’s treat it as a true human experience that basically everyone experiences on some level and deal with it from that

More from Dr. Rashad Richey

Latest Commentary

We know it is important to hear from a diverse range of observers on the complex topics we face and believe our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions.

The commentaries published in this section are solely those of the contributors and do not reflect the views of Straight Arrow News.


Latest Opinions

In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum. We hope these different voices will help you reach your own conclusions.

The opinions published in this section are solely those of the contributors and do not reflect the views of Straight Arrow News.

Weekly Voices

Left Opinion Right Opinion
Tuesday
Left Opinion Right Opinion
Wednesday
Left Opinion Right Opinion
Thursday
Left Opinion Right Opinion
Friday
Left Opinion Right Opinion