Ann Arbor Huron CP
Understanding Biases
Exploring the Idea of Implicit Bias
Learning Goals:
● Understand what Implicit vs Explicit Bias means
● Reflect on biases and how they shape the opinions we receive and produce
● DIscover how stereotypes can influence or thoughts and actions
● Reflect on how these stereotypes manifest themselves in our actions and decisions
Today’s Lesson Plan
Engage: Finish the PBS Lesson on Implicit Bias if you haven’t yet. This
10 minutes
was assigned yesterday during advisory.
Explore Part 1: Read through the attached excerpts from “Crossing the
10 - 15 minutes
Hall”, choose one you have a strong reaction to. Complete activities.
Explore Part 2: Write a response to your chosen reading excerpt that
reflects on the type of implicit bias being shown, and your thoughts 15-20 minutes
and reactions to it.
Engage:
#1) Finish the PBS Activity from yesterday:
Go to the link for the PBS Lesson “Who, Me? Biased? Understanding Implicit Bias” lesson from
yesterday’s class. Finish the activity
Explore Part 1:
#2): A few reading excerpts from Lori Wojtowicz’s book: Crossing the Hall: Crossing an American Divide
are listed here. They each explore different types of biases Mrs. Why was confronted with during her
time teaching at Huron. Read through each of them:
● Racial Bias -- Driving While Black (DWB)
● Disability Bias -- Mathew
● Sexual Orientation Bias - Student Teacher
#3) Choose the one you most want to write about. What type of bias (implicit/explicit) was this? What group
of people is this type of bias directed towards? What are your thoughts about this excerpt? Why did you
choose it? How can you relate? Or what does it make you think or feel?
The sexual orientation bias. This biases towards the LGBTQ+ community. The excerpt was
interesting because a lot of the evidence the student teacher provided was very subliminal,
whereas the other articles were obvious gaps in Mrs. Why’s understanding. I chose it because I
never put thought to the subliminal showings of sexual preference before. I have had plenty of
teachers bring their hetreosexual partners, but I never gave thought to how I would react to see a
different orientation’s partner.
Explore Part 2: Take Your Reflection a Step Further
#5) Have you ever had an experience that confronted you with a belief you held that you realized
needed to be reconsidered? If not, perhaps discuss whether or not you have seen a particular bias
manifest with a family member or a friend? Tell the story? Explain whether or not you think it’s
important to understand and recognize these types of potential implicit biases?
I had thought for a while that simply “not seeing race” was enough, as it was my interpretation of
the words of Dr. King Jr. that I had been raised learning. I had never thought that even people who
might live at a similar tax bracket or in the same area might have to put thought and worry into
issues I don’t even think about. I’ll admit that I speed a lot while I drive, and I used to think that
was only because the police don’t patrol the area I live in. But they don’t patrol the area I live in
because people like me live there. I have had one close run in with being pulled over, but as far as
I can remember I have never been in a car during a traffic stop. To think that is a constant worry
for some is mind numbing.
#6) Read the quotation and statements below. The first is a quote from Malcom X. Beyond that are
Mrs. Why’s statements BEFORE and AFTER “Crossing the Hall”. She says, “I want them to know there
is no right or wrong to our beliefs…it is just the considering that is important. And the ability to change
when we feel it is necessary.
“Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept
the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open
mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of
intelligent search for truth.”
Malcolm X
Before and After Crossing the Hall
I knew I was not a racist.
I know I was raised with racist beliefs that I must work hard to unlearn.
I thought I was a highly educated teacher.
I have a lot to learn. I must remain a student.
I was raised to be a good, little girl, to be polite and quiet.
I raised my daughters to be strong women, to be polite, and to speak their truth.
I believed Malcolm X was a violent man, a bad American.
I believe Malcolm X was an educator, an American leader.
I believed our judicial system was fair to all.
I believe our judicial system is one of injustice that favors the wealthy and white.
I believed Huron High School provided a strong education for all students.
I came to see Huron as two schools: one for students we held in high regard; another for
students held in low regard.
I believed America was fair. Those who worked hard could achieve their dreams.
I believe I worked very hard, but I was also supported by a system that works for me, not
against me.
I believed racism was mostly in the past and had very little to do with me.
I believe racism is alive and well in America, and I must work to eliminate it in me and in
society.
I was a proud America.
I am a proud American who must take responsibility to work for justice and equity.
I knew what I believed.
I know I must continually try to learn more which may change what I now believe.
Do you have an experience that significantly altered what you believed?
Can you make a couple statements such as these?
The realization that many minorities live drastically different lives than mine on a massive scale
showed the institutional issues with our country. I never had the world view of seeing similarities
everywhere I went. The realization that African-Americans suffer very similar injustices all over
the country opened my eyes to the national issues that up until that point I had only viewed as
local issues I shouldn’t worry about because it was in some other state.
● NOTE: We will have another assignment where we will take some of your writings and
information from this document and create a Weebly Page for the PPS section of your
website. No worries about doing that yet.
● Finish this, spell check it, and turn it in!
