Implicit Bias and Social Justice: Reflection on Dominant Identities
In this journal submission, you will reflect on the identities you shared in this module’s discussion and how implicit or unconscious bias may show up in your dominant identities. You will also explore the core principles of social justice.
Specifically, you must address the following:
1. Describe your most dominant social identities.
2. Describe implicit bias represented within your most dominant identities.
A. How does implicit bias show up in your most dominant identities?
3. Identify the core principles of social justice.
4. Describe how implicit bias impacts your understanding of the core principles of social justice.
A. How might implicit bias impact your understanding of social justice in personal settings?
B. How might implicit bias impact your understanding of social justice in professional settings?
Title: Implicit Bias and Social Justice: Reflection on Dominant Identities
Introduction: This journal submission aims to reflect on my dominant social identities and explore how implicit bias may manifest within them. Additionally, I will examine the core principles of social justice and discuss how implicit bias can impact my understanding of these principles in both personal and professional settings.
Describe your most dominant social identities: My most dominant social identities include being a heterosexual, cisgender male of a middle-class background.
Describe implicit bias represented within your most dominant identities: A. How does implicit bias show up in your most dominant identities? Implicit bias within my dominant identities can manifest in various ways. As a heterosexual male, I might harbor subconscious biases towards individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ due to societal norms and expectations. Similarly, as a cisgender individual, I might have implicit biases towards those who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming, as their experiences may be unfamiliar to me.
Identify the core principles of social justice: The core principles of social justice encompass equality, fairness, inclusivity, and the dismantling of systemic oppression. It involves recognizing and challenging power imbalances, advocating for marginalized communities, and striving for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all individuals.
Describe how implicit bias impacts your understanding of the core principles of social justice: A. How might implicit bias impact your understanding of social justice in personal settings? Implicit bias can influence my understanding of social justice in personal settings by blinding me to the full extent of various forms of oppression that marginalized communities face. It may lead to the perpetuation of stereotypes, discrimination, and unequal treatment without conscious awareness. Recognizing and addressing these biases is crucial to promoting fairness and inclusivity.
B. How might implicit bias impact your understanding of social justice in professional settings? In professional settings, implicit bias can impact my understanding of social justice by influencing decision-making processes, hiring practices, and the allocation of resources. Biases may unintentionally favor individuals who share my dominant identities while disadvantaging others. This undermines the principles of equity and inclusivity that are fundamental to social justice.
Conclusion: Reflecting on our dominant identities and acknowledging the presence of implicit biases within them is essential for fostering a deeper understanding of social justice. By recognizing the ways in which our biases can impact personal and professional settings, we can actively work towards challenging those biases and promoting fairness, inclusivity, and equality for all individuals. It is through this ongoing self-reflection and commitment to addressing implicit biases that we can contribute to a more just and equitable society.