Reference no: EM133599731

Question: Bias comes in many shapes and sizes. Some forms of bias are subtle, and some are quite striking. Some are unintentional, and some are intentional. One of social psychology's basic theories-attribution theory-explains how bias can be revealed in our categorization of events. Ways of categorization can lead to stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Stereotyping and prejudice occur within ourselves and do not hurt others, whereas discrimination and racism are actions against others and consequently cause damage. This damage can be as minor as a mild irritation or a strained relationship, or it can be as serious as blatant unfairness or even death.

Ultimately, however, racism hurts everyone. The targets of racism are hurt by the racist comments or actions. The perpetrators are also hurt, because they live in fear of those whom they categorize negatively, and when someone's racist attitudes become public, that person may even lose a prestigious position. Racism can be overt and intentional and thus easily identified, but it can also be covert and unintentional and therefore difficult to identify.

Many modern forms of racism are difficult to detect. Most individuals who hold racist views are unaware that their views are racist, and would even vigorously deny that they are racist. These modern forms of racism are often unintentional, but they cannot be eliminated unless people are willing to examine their own contribution to a racist atmosphere. Racial microaggressions are forms of modern racism. They do not overtly hurt targets of racism because of the relatively minor injury they cause, but an accumulation of microaggressions can become burdensome. These microaggressions can also be applied to sexism, heterosexism, and other kinds of isms that target individuals on the downside of power. Peggy McIntosh (1995), Robin DiAngelo (2012, 2018), and Tim Wise (2008, 2013) identified the various advantages of their White privilege. These privileges are unearned and, unless they are brought to light, unconscious. For example, McIntosh knows that European American people will be characterized positively in almost any newspaper or television show, whereas most people of color may never see characters of their ethnicity portrayed as part of American life. By identifying these privileges, she makes herself aware of the advantages that come with her skin color and the special burden such privileges place on her to make her work harder for social justice.