PART A: EXPLORING OUR OWN CULTURE AND BRING LIGHT TO OUR BIASES

Though we usually think of others as different from us, it is just as true that we are different from them. What we perceive as "normal" reflects our own experiences in life.

Reflection can be a powerful tool in understanding yourself and others.

The questions below encourage you to bring to light how our experiences shape us and uncover unconscious bias. Please note being aware of bias is lifelong work, something we should reflect on and touch in with constantly. Awareness by itself does not change behaviour, when bias comes to light we must be motivated to change.

In your work as an educator it is paramount that you ensure bias (yours and/or others) does not result in unfair treatment of others.

The questions below are best answered quickly, thinking about what comes to mind instantly. Don't search for a correct answer. Just write the first response that comes to your mind. Read the statement and complete the phrase and then reflect on how this might impact your perception. Reflect on where these ideas might stem from or expand on why you believe this to be true.

1. GENDER

A real man is...

A real woman is...

1. Reflect on where these ideas might stem from and/or expand on whether you believe these ideas to be true.

2. FAMILY

A family is....

1. Reflect on where these ideas might stem from and/or expand on whether you believe these ideas to be true.

3. AGE

People of my age...

People older...

People younger....

Reflect on where these ideas might stem from and/or expand on whether you believe these ideas to be true.

Optional

Harvard Implicit Bias Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/canada/

• The Harvard Implicit Bias Test website hostsseven implicit bias tests. They take approximately ten minutes each and cover the following topics: race, age, skin tone, countries, weight, sexuality, gender.
• When you open the website, if you see a message that the site is out of date, don't worry, just click the link to go to the "Demonstrations Tests." Read the preliminary info and click to proceed.
• At the end, you will receive your IAT result along with information about what it means.

4. RACE

Note: race is a social construct, it is not based in biological difference.

1. When were you first aware of your race?
2. What is your reaction toward someone of a different race or ethnicity from you? (Consider how you feel, thoughts, or behaviours)

5. DIFFERENCE-for this section you only need toselect ONE question to answer

1. How, if ever, did any adult give you help thinking about human differences?
2. What do you remember from childhood about how you made sense of human differences? What confused you?
3. What childhood experiences did you have with friends or adults who were different from you in some way?
4. Describe a time when you felt like an outsider. What specific actions or behaviours from others made you feel like you didn't belong? What could have helped you feel more welcome