Vera Myers How Can We Overcome Our Biases Summary

Verna Myers discussion about “How can we overcome our biases”, is truly inspiring. She boldingly addressed the problem and gives simple solutions that can bring us one step closer to endidng biases and predujuces, in our lives. In her talk, she gives us three ways in which this can be achieved; to acknowlege our biases, to become associated with them, and finally to defy them. She also encourages us to take action, to raise our voice and aid others to do the same, especially children. Perhaps the most moving part of Myers speech, was when she explained how children represent our future and that we must begin by implementing in them a diverse mindset, and how this begins by acknoleging our own biases and prejudices. These attitudes can often be subtle and overt, as we go on our daily life without even noticing they exist. A study conducted by (Greeenwald and others, 2008), examined peoples speed of association. This study reveled that people reacted quicker to the association of “white” with “good” than “black” with “good”, a behavior which went completely unnoticed by the participants. Other

She bassically explains how we must get out of our comfort zone and go againt these prejudices and biased views. This step made me truly realized many of my biases and how wrong I was approching them. Being a hispanic woman, there are many attitudes people hold gaints me because of the fact that I am a “Latina woman”, and even though I live in a very culturally diverse city I still experience rejection and a certain type of caution when people of other nationalities/cultural backgrounds approch me. Therefore, Myers speech was something I could connect with not only on a personal level but it also allowed me to gain insight on my views of others. Her speech made me look at my social circle in a different way and encouraged me to become more aware of my thoughts and actions towards