By Bill De la Cruz

(Article originally published in the Daily Camera 1-18-2009)

Each of us has unique preferences, perspectives and ideas. The blend of our individuality creates an essential diversity, without which, the world would be a bland place indeed. Our unique perspectives can also interfere with our ability to be impartial and unprejudiced. This is bias.

The primary question for all of us is: “Do my biases inhibit or enhance my ability to be objective in relationships?” Relationships span our personal, professional and community lives — how we behave in relationships is paramount. Our biases can be the root of our thoughts and actions, yet we rarely talk about the impact they have in our decision-making and community work.

The discussion of bias is difficult because it implies that we are racist or prejudiced. But biases aren’t always bad. Every culture has biases related to norms, values and community. But when we view others through our preconceived notions and stereotypes, biases become a problem.

When do our biases get in the way? When they inhibit our ability to know someone as they are. If we question a President-elect because his ethnic history includes groups that we have prejudged, our biases are in the way. If we can’t get to know a colleague, child or neighbor because they look different than us, our biases are in the way.

Bias is the root of the “isms” that we have created. Yes, created. This root is deep below the surface of these “isms” and labels. We nourish the roots with nutrients of deeply held beliefs. As with any root system, the quality of the nutrients is demonstrated in the manifesting growth, whether it’s healthy, weak, or mutant. The branches, flowers, and leaves, directly demonstrate the quality of the nutrients feeding the root system. As we examine the manifesting growth of our roots of bias, what do we honestly see? Wars, religious persecution, rampant gun-related deaths. The list goes on.

Read the rest of Bias Isn’t All Bad Until it Clouds Your View

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