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this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2024
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United States | News & Politics
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You can believe that to be true, and I suppose you really could be that enlightened. But most people have some degree of implicit bias, and it is wise to be aware of this and to actively challenge our own biases.
I read MonsierPatEBrown's comment as similar to your first sentence here, but it took them 35+ years to recognize they do have stigmas towards black people that they're now working on. That's an accomplishment many people will never achieve tbh.
Even if you have implicit bias which you could argue everyone has, you can use your rational human brain and treat them like everyone else. He seems to struggle with not being accidentally rude to black people, which seems awful crazy to me. And I would bet that he is patronizing to black people who can tell he treats them with some kind of white savior complex. It should be as simple as treating everyone the same and not believe you have higher intrinsic value.
Sure, you can and should if you're aware of the challenge and care enough to combat those biases. It might feel like second nature for some, but it can also be like a muscle that needs to be exercised for others. It sounds like they're trying to do so now, and that kind of growth should be encouraged imo.
Considering how many people will either assume they're open minded enough already without really reflecting on if there's room for improvement or actively go out of their way to treat others like they're inferior, I don't see the value in dragging other folks down for attempting to be more conscientious towards others. Who knows - maybe another future former racist will read their comment and come to the same realization.
It seems like you are making a mountain out of a molehill on this one. I dont think many of the implicit bias that people may experience manifests into an action that is significant. I can see how that could be true for some of the older people where they might say things that sound a little offensive, but I dont think it is a problem that carries a lot of weight. I would say that people more want to try to solve a problem that doesnt really exist, and in doing that they can create a new bigger problem.