Today, most if not all Starbucks locations in the United States will close early for what is being called "implicit bias training". In short, they had a bit of a media meltdown after two black men were arrested at a Seattle location for doing nothing. Literally, their crime was they were doing nothing when they should've been doing something (namely, purchasing a drink). From the way I have heard the story, and accounts vary as they always do, these men had the cops called on them after asking to use the bathroom and hanging around the shop after being asked to buy something or leave.
This is a much, much larger issue than these two black men and one impatient barista. This is an issue of what is known as "implicit bias", and it stems from a long and troubled history of racism in our country. Implicit bias is similar to making assumptions based on appearances, or stereotypes based on group identity. If I, a white woman, started a fight with a black woman, a passerby might assume that the African-American woman was the perpetrator because I, a fair skinned woman, look less intimidating and less likely to pick a fight.
This is so much of a deeper problem and I am barely brushing the surface here, but the point remains: people make assumptions based on skin color, and those assumptions favor lighter skinned or white-passing individuals.
(Note: there's a larger discussion here on racism vs. colorism, which can bring in issues such as the fact that I am Jewish, which can be argued is a race, but I pass as white and I am treated as white in 2018 America. However, if I looked the exact same in 1940s Germany, I would be the subject of deadly racism. Race is not the same as skin color, and again, these are complex conversations that deserve longer discussions).
So, what? You might think. So black people have a harder time interacting in public settings and being treated like fellow humans by service staff and law enforement. So, what?
First off, read that again. That is a problem, so, yeah. But it is more than that. This problem of implicit bias can be fatal, especially when considering police shootings or interactions with officers. Shooter bias has been tested in research settings that show on split second decisions, all too common an event in police work, individuals are more likely to assume a darker skinned person has a gun, a deadly weapon, or is an immediate threat.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I hope I gave you all some points to think about and maybe explore further. I am attaching further reading recommendations.
Together, we can learn, grow, and build a better society. Let's make that dream of MLK a reality.
With love and strength,
Rivi
Diversity Resources Masterpost
This post is not an exhaustive list of issues and resources. Nor is intended to be a required reading list for social justice issues. Rather, I’ve compiled this post to give folks a place to start educating themselves if they have questions about various aspects of diversity and inclusivity. I may add resources as time goes on; feel free to message me with suggestions.
Essential Reading (read these first!)
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- 28 Common Racist Attitudes and Behaviors
- The Importance of Listening as a Privileged Person Fighting for Justice
- A Beginner’s Guide on Problematic Language
- Intent vs. Impact: Why Your Intentions Don’t Really Matter
Power and Privilege
- “That’s Racist Against White People!” A Discussion on Power and Privilege
- 4 Ways to Push Back Against Your Privilege
- Managing Privilege
Race and racism
- If You ‘Don’t See Race,’ You’re Not Paying Attention
- Racism 101: Intro to Racism (a masterpost of smaller articles on various facets of racism)
- The Difference Between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation
- I’m Not a Puzzle to Solve: How to Speak to Ethnically Ambiguous People
- What White People Need to Learn
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