As the closing arguments are being made in the Derek Chauvin murder trial in the courthouse in downtown Minneapolis, I would counter the title of this reflection with a bellowing rendition of the 1983 Elton John classic, “I’m still standing.” Yet does my simple categorisation of good and bad really stand up to scientific scrutiny?
Following the killing of George Floyd on 25th May 2020 I wrote a piece on Black Lives Matter (BLM). I shared my thoughts with a black friend who signposted me to Project Implicit, created by researchers at Harvard University. This study explores hidden social cognition – the thoughts and feelings outside of conscious alertness. I eagerly completed the process with the predicted outcome, I thought, being very much aligned to my upright posture at my virtual Elton John concert. Yet I was very much surprised when the results diverged from this hitherto steadfast position. Had I been hiding stuff from myself? I detest racism. How was this even possible? As I stumbled back from my convenient point of reference there was only one thing to do – delve deeper.
Psychologists Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald authored the book ‘Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People’ based on their theory of implicit bias (also referred to as unconscious bias). The bottom line is we human beings are hotwired to favour those who look like us. This affinity bias occurs naturally and within nanoseconds of meeting another person. Rather than me map out this instinctive behaviour I would recommend this three and half minute video. As my nurturing colleague added, this social classification prompts an immediate conversation in our heads about that person without knowing anything about them save an initial recce of their face and outward appearance.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
If, like me, you mimic the visual characterisation of extreme privilege in the UK – white, male, big and bald – it may be difficult to accurately gauge what negative impact this natural human mechanism can have on your life. The only time I was acutely aware of this happening to me was when neighbours from across the road fessed up to having labelled me when I moved into the area. My late wife and I, having saved up by undertaking several jobs, moved into a discrete cul-de-sac of nine houses and I decided to mow the ample front lawn in my Notts County shirt. Apparently, I terrorised my now good friends into thinking that a Geordie football hooligan had moved in, having mistaken me as a Newcastle United fan! How very wrong were they – on several counts!
So how can you manage the obvious defects of unconscious bias? When we lived in caves, this had an important role to play as a natural defence mechanism. But we have moved on considerably since those times and the world is our oyster. We work, play, and fall in love with others who don’t always look like us, and quite frankly, don’t deserve to be judged exclusively on what our unconscious brains are hotwired to spew out effortlessly.
Talking, listening, and inquiring into other cultures are important first steps. We Brits in particular, love a good proverb and not judging a book by its cover has never been so truthful. But put some effort into it. Simple memes on social media or jingoistic slogans can never reflect the complexity of authentic life and real people. I am lucky that my writing has allowed me to trigger my naivety and shine a light into corners of humanity that I never really understood. The Menopause, Down Syndrome, BDSM and Premature Death to select just a handful of topics in which I fought unconscious bias, and celebrated significant victory.
Whatever the Minneapolis verdict is, and whether you are standing or sitting, just pause for a moment and ask yourself, “Is this the conscious or unconscious me?” The former is always in conflict with the latter. Please let the right side win.
© Ian Kirke 2021
Title photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash