Confronting one’s biases is not as easy at sounds. There are 3 steps we need to take before we can even begin.
FIRST, just as an alcoholic can only begin the road to recovery when they can admit before others, “I am an alcoholic”, we need to acknowledge that every point of view we have is biased. Bias simply means that we are situated in a unique place in terms of our culture, upbringing, limitations, etc. and we can only evaluate reality from that place. Unfortunately, most people, when they are told they are biased, will protest, “I am NOT biased. I go by the facts and if you can’t see those facts as I do, then there must be something wrong with you.” Once we get into the habit of acknowledging and disclosing our biases, we are on the way to seeing other points of view.
THE NEXT STEP is also difficult. We need to listen and try to put ourselves in another person’s place, seeing the world through their eyes. We need to walk a mile in their moccasins. Again, most people are unwilling to do that. Is a Republican willing to look at the world through a Democrat’s eyes? Is an atheist willing to look at the world through a theist’s eyes? Is a man willing to look at reality through a woman’s eyes?
AND THE THIRD STEP, again not easy to do, is to get into the habit of doing this on a daily basis for the rest of our lives. So, when someone cuts you off on the highway, your first reaction becomes not, “What’s wrong with that jerk?” but “This is what that other driver is feeling and thinking …” Or when Trump says something absurd, instead of judging and dismissing him, we try to understand the worldview, life experience and pressures that may have led him to say such a thing.
