Having Biases

Having Biases

3:47

…”The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24 (NIV)

Do you have unconscious or even conscious biases? In answering honestly, I believe all of us to some degree have them. Whether it be against others due to race, ethnicity, culture, languages, religion, body shapes/sizes, hair textures, etc. Everyone, at least once, has looked at a group of people who have similar outward appearances/characteristics, and jumped to conclusions about them based on those biases; without really knowing the background or facts of that person or the situation.

I have seen this time and time again, but an actual incident that came to mind I would like to share. During a meal serving event for the community, an African American guest standing in line to be served came up and began asking questions of the volunteers (another African American and a Caucasian). The Caucasian woman turned to the African American worker and asked what he was saying as the guest spoke Ebonics with them. The African American worker looked at her and said I don’t understand either. She looked shocked and they continued serving. Later the African American worker went to her and explained she grew up in suburbia, went to private schools, and did not grow up speaking Ebonics. She then asked, why would you assume I knew what was being said? The other worker blushed and apologized saying I should never have assumed you would know. I just automatically thought you would know what he was saying. She then said I understand how wrong I was when I think about it. The African American worker said yes because for example, if a person who speaks Russian came up to us, should I ask you what they are saying? No, right? You may look the same outwardly however, you come from different backgrounds.

Of course, we all have many more examples of biases we hold onto. Perhaps they were ingrained in us due to our upbringing or, they have become a part of us as we go through life. Despite how we acquired them, we all need to work on ourselves so that we can remove them from our lives. Many times, there are similarities between individuals who may look the same outwardly however, it does not automatically mean they have the same characteristics, backgrounds, etc.

We all have some sort of biases, and according to God‘s word in the verses above, as well as many other verses in the Bible, we need to respect people based on their actions and the content of their characters, and not the color of their skin. This was stated eloquently in the powerful I Have A Dream speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I pray that as we go forward in life, may we not allow our biases to be in the forefront of our minds, whenever we cross paths with individuals different from us.

Blessings, 

Angélique

To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com