As you have already completed the Cultural Competency Self-Test in the textbook, you may be feeling a little insecure with your own thoughts about your competency. Please understand that it is a common experience in the growth process. According to Scopelliti et al. (2015), all people have implicit biases or blind spots, yet most people are not aware of them. As an early childhood development professional, it is important to identify your own biases in order to acknowledge them and work toward overcoming them. Banaji (n.d.), a leading psychologist in the field of implicit bias, likens biases to medical conditions: “You go have a cholesterol test or a hypertension test and it tells you: you have something in your body of which you could not have been aware. It’s not your fault, but once you know, a smart person will do something differently.” Now that you know they exist, you must act on overcoming them. In her TED Talk, Myers (2014) encourages the following three steps when thinking about implicit bias: do not deny your biases, move toward your biases, and point out biases when you see them.
To prepare for this Journal:
Please refer to the Week 1 Guidance for further tips and examples that will support your success with this discussion.
Read Chapter 2: Building Cultural Competence Among Early Childhood Educators in your course text.
Watch the video Vernā Myers: How To Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them Links to an external site.
Complete the Race Implicit Association Test (IAT) by following the steps below:
1. Visit Project Implicit’s web page at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.htmlLinks to an external site.
2. Scroll down and click “I wish to proceed”
3. Choose “Race IAT” from the list of assessments
In your journal
1. Explain your feelings about implicit bias in general and how you were impacted by watching the Myers video.
2. Identify one or two biases you feel that you have and how they may impact your career or personal life.
3. Explain how you will move toward your own biases in order to address them.
4. Brainstorm how you will address bias when you notice it in young children, their families, and/or your own colleagues.
