There is no need to invest in unconscious bias tests or search the internet for one. We can simply do the exercise of paying attention to our thoughts when we travel. If we want to truly understand the enormous amount of bias and prejudice we espouse, all we need to do is pay attention to our thoughts while we are waiting to board a plane and looking around or as we are walking through any large airport (no small, regional airport will do – we need to choose one where we will encounter folks from all walks of life).
Every now and again I feel good about myself. I finish a book that kicked my behind and helped me figure out something new and all of a sudden I start thinking that I am the cat’s pajamas when it comes to inclusion. But put me in an airport at dawn, too lazy to grab my glasses and stare into my phone or read and I am just as much of a racist and ableist as the next person.
On my recent trip to Oxford, my mind was having a field day:
Where do these roma people (not the word my brain spit out) have money to travel? What are they doing in the UK? Stealing and dealing for sure. Oh, look at how entitled they think they are going to the front of the line. And they don’t even take good care of their kids. It’s just like “them”!
Oh look at her, I am so happy I don’t look like that! So fat! Stop eating! (admitting this one brings up quite some shame … if only it would arrive before the thought …)
Jeezz the tattoos!! How weird! (I have three)
Any London airport holds the black belt in testing environments. No sooner had I lined up for passport control that I notice a very large group of hasidic jews lining up as well. Wow, look at those hats and black clothes, all these Jewish people. Why are they traveling so much aren’t they supposed to stay put and … pray?
Back to the parents in line in front of me. Oh, look at them, constantly scolding their kids. (imaginary head shake, left to right) That is not how you parent well. Oh and that child screaming. Don’t they have parents?
Wow, these uneducated people getting on their phones as soon as the plane touched the ground! And the ones speaking so loudly!
I get disappointed in myself with every single one of these thoughts and disillusioned that I will ever be able to hear different chatter and feel and behave in an inclusive manner by default. And then I remember James Clear’s words: “We don’t rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our habits.” So, by this logic, if I make it my habit to always pay attention to my thoughts and redirect, the inclusion muscle will get stronger and stronger. One can only hope … .
Photo by Carlos Coronado on Unsplash
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