Week Seven: Bias and Empathy

Bias, both conscious and unconscious, is something we all have. Empathy, or the ability to emotionally connect with and understand the feelings of another, supercharges curiosity and leads to better relationships and creative problem solving. The goal of Week Seven is to increase your understanding of these concepts.

Week Seven: Day 1

WATCH Implicit Bias - Concepts Unwrapped that explains implicit bias in a simple, visual way.

REFLECT: What are some negative AND positive stereotypes you’ve seen, heard or experienced about different races?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the funny yet informative Fusion Comedy video "How Microaggressions are Like Mosquito Bites" HERE.

Week Seven: Day 2

WATCH the Google video Unconscious Bias at Work - Making the Unconscious Conscious

REFLECT: Can you remember a time where your initial assumptions about a co-worker based on stereotypes were incorrect? How did you feel after you found out your assumption was wrong? Did it make you approach new people or situations differently in the future?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the eye-opening 2-minute NPR video "Bias Isn't Just a Police Problem, It's a Preschool Problem" HERE.

Week Seven: Day 3

WATCH the TEDx talk: How to Overcome our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them with Vernā Myers

REFLECT: When have you been in a situation where negative stereotypes caused you to be afraid of a situation or person? Why was that?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Take the Harvard Implicit Association Test on race HERE. (Choose "Continue as a Guest" on the bottom left then choose "Race IAT".)

Week Seven: Day 4

WATCH the RSA Animate video The Empathic Civilization

REFLECT: When have you had a conversation with someone with a different opinion or perspective and left with more empathy towards them and why? How did that change your perspective?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the TEDx Talk "How Empathy Fuels the Creative Process" by Seung Chan Lim HERE.

Week Seven: Day 5

WATCH the TED talk: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation by Celeste Headlee.

REFLECT: Who have you avoided a conversation with and why? How has avoiding it affected your feelings towards that person? Who do you have easy and comfortable conversations with? Why? Who are you challenged by having conversations with and why? What you can do to help make it better?

WANT TO GO DEEPER? Watch the 3-minute PBS News Hour video "What Happens When I Try to Talk Race with White People" HERE.

You've come to the end of Week Seven: Empathy & Bias

Please join us for a Week One Discussion Group on Wednesday, May 12th at 1pm. We also invite you to share your anonymous feedback on this section. The feedback is intentionally anonymous to create a safe space for everyone's opinions, feedback and questions. The goal is for this is to be an open and productive dialogue, not a one-way flow of information. You can share your anonymous feedback HERE.

If you're looking to dive deeper, here are some suggested resources from fellow Buddhans:

Subscribe to Anti-Racism Daily HERE.

Read "What's Empathy Got To Do With Creativity?" HERE.