I took the test on Project Implicit's website about hidden bias and the results were that I have a slight preference for African Americans over European Americans. Although there has been research done to prove that people have prejudices and biases unconsciously that they can't control, I do not believe that that is why I had these results. I don't believe this test is very effective because it relies upon reflexes and quick thinking. On certain tests I was just moving along faster and making less errors than on others and I don't believe that reflects my racial views. It is pointless and there are other more efficient ways to uncover hidden bias then some test that is almost like a game.
While I do not believe that this test works, I do believe that there are hidden biases that all of us have. It is simply in our human nature to follow what our parents do. If a parent shows any prejudices towards a race then that child will simply inherit those. Those biases do not always come up but if a certain presents itself where that group that you have a negative disposition against does something negative than that just reassures you of your bias. I am guilty myself of doing it and I do my best not to let it come out, but sometimes it just cannot be helped. I believe that it takes time to mature being in contact with many different races to finally drop those biases and realize that people are just people.
Hidden biases are a huge underlying cause to racism in America. In order to irradiate racism those hidden biases must go first. It has been passed down through generations and continues to grow stronger as time continues. We will never overcome these until the entire nation is educated which I don't see possible sadly.
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