Bias, Stereotypes, and Prejudice
Prejudicial beliefs about certain identities and identity groups can lead to discrimination. Discrimination is harmful and can cause many negative outcomes including violence and division within communities. Examples of different types of discrimination include racial and ethnic discrimination, xenophobia, discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people, gender discrimination and discrimination based on disability.
When meeting new people we often form an initial idea about them based on our first interaction. We need to remember to let others define themselves rather than us defining them based on our understanding of them. It's also essential to remember that one person does not speak for, nor represent, an entire community. Each person is an individual and dialogue encourages us to see them as such.
Stereotypes
Stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Examples: Common Religious Stereotypes
People who practice X religion are intolerant.
People who practice X religion are wise.
People who practice X religion are naive.
People who practice X religion are peaceful.
People who follow the X belief system are foolish.
Challenging stereotypes can be done by being aware of how your own attitudes, beliefs and assumptions might impact others and how you treat them. Meeting new people who are different from you is another great way to have your stereotypes challenged.
Bias
Bias: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.
Biases are subconscious, mental shortcuts that our minds use to make decisions, judgments, and inferences about others. They often have negative connotations, but can sometimes be positive and helpful. Additionally, biases can be conscious or unconscious. Both forms of bias can have harmful consequences. Simple awareness is a critical step toward addressing how your biases might be influencing your dialogue with others.
Prejudice
Prejudice: Noun; An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics. A preconceived opinion that is not based on just grounds or insufficient knowledge.
What roles do we take in instances of prejudice?
Target: Refers to the individual whom the hostility is directed toward and who is a member of the group(s) stereotyped in question
Aggressor: The person who says or does something that the target interprets as prejudiced
Bystander: A person who witnesses the situation but is not the direct target or the aggressor
Upstander: An ally, A person of one social identity group who stands up in support of members of another group; typically a member of a dominant group standing beside member(s) of a group being discriminated against or treated unjustly regardless of our identity, benefit when any of us take steps toward eliminating prejudice and discrimination in our society
So, how do we begin to address discrimination within our own communities and beyond?
One example of a concrete way to work on ending discrimination is to introduce laws and policies that promote inclusion and diversity. Inclusive laws, policies and practices ensure that everyone has access to necessary resources, opportunities and benefits.
In the workplace, this can mean hiring a diverse staff and creating a culture where employees are empowered to speak up and work together to create an environment that supports and benefits all members.
On a personal level, we can evaluate how our biases and beliefs about certain stereotypes affect how we interact with others. Using this awareness, we can avoid engaging in acts of prejudice.
