Recent research in psychology, neuroscience, and the social sciences has made huge strides in understanding how automatic processes in the brain shape our perceptions, our actions and our decision-making. Research also gives us insights into how we can override our biases to bring them more in line with our conscious values.
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Media, entertainment, and other forms of popular culture play a significant role in shaping our perceptions of others. For many of us, popular culture is the primary way we learn about people who are different from us. The problem, though, is that many representations are based on cultural stereotypes, which tend to marginalize and caricature members of nondominant groups. Through these representations, we see a limited, and distorted, view of others.
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Stereotyping and bias are universal human phenomena. No one is immune from the effects of implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat. These phenomena have serious impacts on our decisions and on the way we treat each other in every sector of daily life.
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We believe in solutions. The problem of discrimination is a complicated one—operating on both structural and individual levels—but failure and tragedy are not inevitable. If people believe the problem of discrimination is intractable, they are less likely to engage in action. We are dedicated to raising awareness of and applying empirically tested solutions to real-world challenges.
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May 2021
Today, marking an anniversary of one of our heaviest recent national moments, the public execution of George Floyd and the buried unjust outcome of Breonna Taylor’s murder- challenging shared humanity. Perception has sought to work with organizations who are trying to support their own communities over the past year, through its ups, downs and sideways.
As a Black woman working predominantly in racial equity and identity oppression, I’d be remiss to not acknowledge and center this moment and share it with you offering– space. Space for the memory of activism, emotions and action; space for one another in compassion and space for healing, recovery and restoration. Space to reflect on your contribution and role in global equity work.
To borrow from Resma Menachem’s My Grandmother’s Hands
“Healing must be collective, both in its process and benefits”
Perception has been front and center of so many salient and now we know for sure, impactful, trailblazing work. It is not lost on me that each day, each time that we encounter the content we are also engaging historically distressful and traumatizing memories that dynamically impact us all to varying degrees while we still engage the world. I say this multiple times because it’s both true, cannot be forgotten and it requires us all to ensure we are our best selves for this work, for ourselves and to one another.
“At its best activism is a form of healing. It is about what we do and how we show up in the world. It is about learning and expressing regard, compassion, and love.”
How and why we do this work is specific to the very essence of each and every one of us. Remember that we bring beauty, creativity and unique lived experiences to the dynamic brilliance that allows us to shine new each day. Thank you for all you do and all you are and all you do to ensure accountability to equitable and just communities.