Could the racial demographic makeup of your social networks contribute to your implicit bias? Scientists have proven that hanging out with people from different backgrounds can reduce ‘implicit bias.’
One way to think of implicit bias is the automatic judgments you make about others that is sometimes based on race. It is different than calling someone a racist.
Often it is inevitable that we all have some form of implicit bias due to our upbringing. In addition, the media and the repeated images they portray can result in us developing biased associations about people.
For example here are some implicit biases:
- White is American
- Disabled is weak
- Family is female
- Poor is lazy
One way to reduce implicit bias is to socialize and develop meaningful friendships outside your racial group. Take a look at your social network, ask yourself who is in it? Are you surrounded by a diverse mix of friends from different racial and ethnic backgrounds?
To test whether I could have implicit bias, I recently did a manual audit of my Facebook friends list and discovered that the primary racial demographic in my social network were as follows: 39% white, 30% black, 17% Hispanic, 4% Asian.
With this information, I concluded that my social network is racially diverse due to the friends and connections made through Unieros.
Diversity in Unieros
Because of the Unieros diverse network, I experience and socialize with people who have different perspectives of the world. I learn from things they share, which ultimately help shape my understanding of the each race.
In order to improve diverse social connections, Unieros provides the spaces, places, and a community where you can meet people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We are real people making meaningful connections across racial and ethnic lines.
By participating in our events, you will increase more diversity in your social network.
Join us for an upcoming event.
For further information about bias, watch the POV New York Times video “Peanut Butter and Jelly Racism” to learn more about implicit bias.