Bias
On April 16th, two Black men were arrested for trespassing in a Starbucks in Philadelphia. On April
22nd, a Black man wrestled an AR-15 rifle from a mass shooter in a Waffle House in Nashville,
saving many lives.
22nd, a Black man wrestled an AR-15 rifle from a mass shooter in a Waffle House in Nashville,
saving many lives.
The first thing I thought when I read about the Waffle House shooting was, “thank God no one called
the police on James Shaw Jr., the reluctant Waffle House hero. Thank God that guy was in there at the
time. In fact, I’m in a Starbucks right now and I would feel a bit safer if he was sitting right next to me.
the police on James Shaw Jr., the reluctant Waffle House hero. Thank God that guy was in there at the
time. In fact, I’m in a Starbucks right now and I would feel a bit safer if he was sitting right next to me.
I’m pretty sure all Americans were happy he was there. None of us want carnage. However, I think many
of us look at these two events separately. They are different situations that took place in different cities.
However, to look at them separately, I would argue is to look at them simply.
of us look at these two events separately. They are different situations that took place in different cities.
However, to look at them separately, I would argue is to look at them simply.
I’m a White guy, so I know how us White folks like to think and talk about these things. I don’t claim to
speak for all White people, but with 38 years experience in my skin, saying, thinking and hearing the
things I have, I have earned the right to make some generalizations.
speak for all White people, but with 38 years experience in my skin, saying, thinking and hearing the
things I have, I have earned the right to make some generalizations.
In the Starbucks case, we like to focus on the things the oppressed minority did wrong. “Why didn’t
they just buy a cup of coffee? Why didn’t they just explain to the barista their situation when they were
asked to leave?“Why didn’t they just listen to the police when they asked them to leave?” The irony of
this is we know damn well that we could sit in a Starbucks all day long without buying anything and no
one would say a thing to us. We have used the bathroom on countless occasions without buying anything
and no one has bothered us. Maybe we would have listened to the police, but why wouldn’t we? We
would have been pretty confident the whole thing would have been sorted out in the end. Donte Robinson
and Rashon Nelson (the two men arrested in the Starbucks) were not given the benefit of doubt that
White people are so accustomed to. In fact, we are so accustomed to it we don’t even know it’s
happening. That’s why we’re confused about how a routine situation could turn out like that.
It wouldn’t happen to us so they must have done something wrong.
they just buy a cup of coffee? Why didn’t they just explain to the barista their situation when they were
asked to leave?“Why didn’t they just listen to the police when they asked them to leave?” The irony of
this is we know damn well that we could sit in a Starbucks all day long without buying anything and no
one would say a thing to us. We have used the bathroom on countless occasions without buying anything
and no one has bothered us. Maybe we would have listened to the police, but why wouldn’t we? We
would have been pretty confident the whole thing would have been sorted out in the end. Donte Robinson
and Rashon Nelson (the two men arrested in the Starbucks) were not given the benefit of doubt that
White people are so accustomed to. In fact, we are so accustomed to it we don’t even know it’s
happening. That’s why we’re confused about how a routine situation could turn out like that.
It wouldn’t happen to us so they must have done something wrong.
In the Waffle House case, we like to focus on the cultural aspects of the oppressed minority hero that
make us comfortable. He works for ATT. He went to college. He’s a family man. We admire the man
and are grateful for his heroics. However, I think we secretly want other Black people to be watching
and take notes so they, too, know how to be honorably oppressed. We certainly don’t want to focus on
the fact that the shooter, like most mass shooters, was a White guy just like us. We also don’t want to
admit that the hero might get arrested at our local Starbucks for trespassing.
make us comfortable. He works for ATT. He went to college. He’s a family man. We admire the man
and are grateful for his heroics. However, I think we secretly want other Black people to be watching
and take notes so they, too, know how to be honorably oppressed. We certainly don’t want to focus on
the fact that the shooter, like most mass shooters, was a White guy just like us. We also don’t want to
admit that the hero might get arrested at our local Starbucks for trespassing.
We think, “Man...if Black people could be more like James Shaw Jr. and less like Donte Robinson and
Rashon Nelson, then things would be great. James Shaw just sounds like a good guy doesn’t he? Names
like Donte and Rashon make us uncomfortable. For some reason it upsets us that some Black people
don’t choose “traditional” first names, even though we know where their last names come from and why
they might what to have original first names. Meanwhile we’re so proud of our last names that we get
tattoos of our family crests on our biceps and proudly trace our family history to the “old country.” We
also like the way James looks, and we don’t like the way Donte and Rashon look. James likes to wear
a suit, is clean shaven and his hair is short. Donte and Rashon dress more casual, have beards and longer
hair. We think “why do they have to look like that? What are they gangsters?” We might as well just say,
“why can’t they wear clothes and groom themselves in ways that make us feel more comfortable?”
Sound ridiculous? It is.
Rashon Nelson, then things would be great. James Shaw just sounds like a good guy doesn’t he? Names
like Donte and Rashon make us uncomfortable. For some reason it upsets us that some Black people
don’t choose “traditional” first names, even though we know where their last names come from and why
they might what to have original first names. Meanwhile we’re so proud of our last names that we get
tattoos of our family crests on our biceps and proudly trace our family history to the “old country.” We
also like the way James looks, and we don’t like the way Donte and Rashon look. James likes to wear
a suit, is clean shaven and his hair is short. Donte and Rashon dress more casual, have beards and longer
hair. We think “why do they have to look like that? What are they gangsters?” We might as well just say,
“why can’t they wear clothes and groom themselves in ways that make us feel more comfortable?”
Sound ridiculous? It is.
James Shaw Jr.
From Left: Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson
Us White Americans claim to love culture. Irish people get to wear their funny hats and sweaters and
walk around with t-shirts that read “Everyone Loves an Irish Girl.” Italians and Germans do the same.
However, when it comes to Black and Brown cultures, we get uncomfortable. I remember seeing a Black
woman wearing a shirt that read “Unapologetically Black” and my initial reaction was “Why does she
have to wear that? Why does she have to be so confrontational? ” Then I thought again and realized
that the shirt itself was not confrontational. I was.
walk around with t-shirts that read “Everyone Loves an Irish Girl.” Italians and Germans do the same.
However, when it comes to Black and Brown cultures, we get uncomfortable. I remember seeing a Black
woman wearing a shirt that read “Unapologetically Black” and my initial reaction was “Why does she
have to wear that? Why does she have to be so confrontational? ” Then I thought again and realized
that the shirt itself was not confrontational. I was.
Social scientists call this bias. All groups suffer from bias. I’m not claiming that White folks are the
only ones that do. The difference is; however, when there is bias from a dominant group it materializes
into oppression. It’s not the same kind of oppression that we saw in the past. It’s not slavery. It’s not
lynching. It’s not legal segregation. Because it’s not those things we have a tendency to write off and
not label it as oppression, but it’s still oppressive.
only ones that do. The difference is; however, when there is bias from a dominant group it materializes
into oppression. It’s not the same kind of oppression that we saw in the past. It’s not slavery. It’s not
lynching. It’s not legal segregation. Because it’s not those things we have a tendency to write off and
not label it as oppression, but it’s still oppressive.
The most dangerous part about this form of oppression is that it’s unconscious. There are some blatant
racists out there. Unfortunately, in the past few years they have been embolden to come out of the
woodwork. However, it’s been my experience that most White Americans do not claim to be racist.
In fact, we love to justify our egalitarian ways by talking about our Black and Brown friends,
coworkers, classmates and neighbors. These relationships are proof that we are not racists and therefore
part of the solution and not the problem. Don’t get me wrong, these relationships are important and
they are part of the long term solution. However, all too often these relationships exist within the
old power structure, unconsciously protecting the status quo. Black and Brown people are invited to
shed their culture and enter into White culture, to a certain extent of course, but Whites are reluctant
to welcome “Unapologetically” Black or Brown people the way we do the immigrant from the old
country. Furthermore, we are reluctant to be the minority. We rarely live, work, or go to school were
we are the minority. We are willing to accept Black and Brown people but there are conditions. We are
generally not willing to accept them under equal footing. This is why our actions, although mostly
unconscious, are still oppressive.
racists out there. Unfortunately, in the past few years they have been embolden to come out of the
woodwork. However, it’s been my experience that most White Americans do not claim to be racist.
In fact, we love to justify our egalitarian ways by talking about our Black and Brown friends,
coworkers, classmates and neighbors. These relationships are proof that we are not racists and therefore
part of the solution and not the problem. Don’t get me wrong, these relationships are important and
they are part of the long term solution. However, all too often these relationships exist within the
old power structure, unconsciously protecting the status quo. Black and Brown people are invited to
shed their culture and enter into White culture, to a certain extent of course, but Whites are reluctant
to welcome “Unapologetically” Black or Brown people the way we do the immigrant from the old
country. Furthermore, we are reluctant to be the minority. We rarely live, work, or go to school were
we are the minority. We are willing to accept Black and Brown people but there are conditions. We are
generally not willing to accept them under equal footing. This is why our actions, although mostly
unconscious, are still oppressive.
I am not a social scientist and there is no one out there that is free of unconscious bias. After all, it’s
unconscious. Yet, I can share with you the things that I think have helped me become more conscious
of my bias.
unconscious. Yet, I can share with you the things that I think have helped me become more conscious
of my bias.
- Authentic minority experiences where I am not in the position of power.
- Acknowledging that history affects the present in ways that are difficult to see in real time.
As a White male it is difficult to find places where I am not in the position of power. To a certain
extent, they don’t exist. However, my experiences living and working as a minority, albeit a
privileged minority, have helped me unpack some of my bias. That alone is not the answer. When
living and working as a privileged minority it is all too easy to become a “White Savior”. By this I
mean, it is easy to seperate the two worlds. In one world you live a privileged life that is unconsciously
oppressive to minority groups, while in the other world you “help” that same minority group and get
all kinds of accolades for it. This is why number 2 is so important.
Let’s just take a quick look at history:
extent, they don’t exist. However, my experiences living and working as a minority, albeit a
privileged minority, have helped me unpack some of my bias. That alone is not the answer. When
living and working as a privileged minority it is all too easy to become a “White Savior”. By this I
mean, it is easy to seperate the two worlds. In one world you live a privileged life that is unconsciously
oppressive to minority groups, while in the other world you “help” that same minority group and get
all kinds of accolades for it. This is why number 2 is so important.
Let’s just take a quick look at history:
In 1818, Black and Brown people were enslaved in this country.
In 1918, Black and Brown people were segregated in this country.
In 2018, Black and Brown people are discriminated against in this country.
We praise the work that the abolitionists did to end slavery. We applaud the work of the Civil Rights
leaders that brought an end to Jim Crow. We have come a long way but the work is not done. Are we
prepared to pick up the torch? The work that needs to be done this century is just as important and it
is our responsibility.
leaders that brought an end to Jim Crow. We have come a long way but the work is not done. Are we
prepared to pick up the torch? The work that needs to be done this century is just as important and it
is our responsibility.
In 2118, Back and Brown people…
Hopefully all will have the same opportunity and all of us will love each other as brothers and sisters. Will we be free of discrimination, who can say? We have a tendency to judge ALL people by how they dress, wear their hair, etc. When will we stop doing that? Can I blame human nature for our failings? All we can do is try to improve ourselves,and educate others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Mom. I like the idea on continuing to improve ourselves. Too often we look at history and think "things are better than they were" and then just settle for that. We should celebrate improvements while we continue to keep pushing for greater equality.
ReplyDelete