Verna Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them

Summary

In this thought-provoking speech, the speaker reflects on the deeply ingrained biases and violence that young Black men face, using historical and current events like Ferguson and Michael Brown as a backdrop. Emphasizing the importance of confronting denial, moving toward Black men rather than away, and speaking up against racism in families, the speaker calls for action and self-awareness. The goal is to break stereotypes, build genuine relationships, and create a society where young Black men can thrive. The message urges personal responsibility in addressing implicit biases and promoting empathy for a more inclusive future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The history of violence against black men in America is long and ongoing, with modern incidents like the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson echoing past brutality.
• 😀 Racism and prejudice are deeply ingrained in society and contribute to negative stereotypes about young black men, which need to be actively addressed and changed.
• 😀 The idea of colorblindness is a false ideal. Acknowledging racial differences and confronting the biases associated with them is essential for progress.
• 😀 Our implicit biases are often revealed through subconscious associations, such as preferring white people over black people, even when we explicitly reject racial prejudice.
• 😀 The Implicit Association Test shows that both white and black individuals tend to favor white people, highlighting the pervasive nature of racial bias.
• 😀 To challenge biases, we need to expose ourselves to positive representations of black people and actively seek disconfirming data that challenges our stereotypes.
• 😀 Building authentic relationships with young black men is crucial for dismantling harmful stereotypes and fostering empathy and understanding.
• 😀 It is important to confront discomfort and engage with people from different backgrounds, expanding our social and professional circles to create more inclusive environments.
• 😀 Speaking out against racism, even in the face of loved ones perpetuating biased views, is necessary to break the cycle of prejudice and ensure a better future for all.
• 😀 Families have a critical role in shaping future generations' understanding of race, and we must actively teach children to recognize and challenge injustice wherever it exists.
• 😀 Creating a society where young black men are valued for both their color and character requires us all to become advocates, allies, and agents of change in combating racism.

Q & A

What is the central message of the transcript?

The central message is about addressing the systemic racial biases and stereotypes that affect young black men. The speaker calls for personal reflection, taking action against unconscious bias, and fostering genuine relationships to challenge these prejudices.

How does the speaker relate personal experiences to the topic of racial bias?

The speaker shares a personal story about their own bias towards a female pilot, revealing how biases can be unconscious and influence behavior, even when we think we are free of them. This serves as an example of how deeply ingrained stereotypes can affect everyone.

What role does the implicit association test play in the speech?

The implicit association test is used to demonstrate how people's brains automatically associate white people with positive traits and black people with negative ones, regardless of their own racial identity. This is presented as evidence of unconscious bias that must be acknowledged and addressed.

What does the speaker mean by 'color blindness' and why is it problematic?

Color blindness refers to the idea of ignoring race entirely. The speaker argues that this is problematic because it prevents us from acknowledging the real and significant differences that racial backgrounds bring, thus hindering progress in overcoming racial inequality.

What does the speaker suggest people should do to confront their biases?

The speaker urges people to actively look for disconfirming data that challenges their existing biases, emphasizing the importance of confronting these biases rather than denying their existence.

Why is it important to 'move toward' young black men, according to the speaker?

Moving toward young black men, instead of avoiding them, is essential to breaking down stereotypes. The speaker encourages building deeper, authentic relationships to foster understanding and empathy, helping to challenge racial prejudices.

How does the speaker use the example of their colleague’s reaction to a black man to illustrate biases?

The speaker contrasts their own instinctive positive reaction to seeing a black man on the street with their colleague’s instinctive negative reaction. This highlights how deeply ingrained biases manifest in everyday situations and vary based on individual experiences and perspectives.

What advice does the speaker give to young black men in terms of relationships?

The speaker advises young black men to be open to genuine and authentic relationships with people who can see and value their humanity. They stress the importance of not isolating themselves and seeking connections with those who can challenge stereotypes.

What is the speaker’s stance on confronting racism within families and close circles?

The speaker emphasizes the need for courage in confronting racism, even among loved ones. This includes speaking out against harmful remarks and behaviors at family gatherings, to prevent the perpetuation of racial biases across generations.

How does the speaker view the relationship between seeing color and seeing character?

The speaker acknowledges the need to see both the color and character of individuals. They argue that recognizing racial identity is not inherently harmful, but it becomes problematic when it leads to stereotypes or prevents people from being seen as whole individuals.