| Last year we saw Crash running away with the | | | | unconsciously. We are far better at spotting bias |
| Oscar, and was acclaimed for not only the best | | | | in others than in ourselves. Researchers in the |
| movie of the year, but for its exposure of race | | | | Stanford University study concluded that there is |
| relations, bias and stereotypes in American | | | | an assumption that our own golden rule of |
| society. Again this year, Hollywood, has by | | | | objectivity works well for ourselves- but others' |
| accident, created incredible teaching tools that can | | | | rules do not work for them. The Bias Blind Spot: |
| be used to raise our unconscious biases and | | | | Perception of Bias in Self Versus Others (2002) |
| stereotypes which can lead us to recognize | | | | The same person who is fairly objective when |
| unique, individual features of others. | | | | judging himself or herself may be highly biased |
| Crash is a movie that makes us take a second | | | | when assessing others or vice versa. And |
| and third look at our own biases. Crash involves | | | | contrary to expectations, a successful career built |
| several stories with an underlying theme of biases | | | | on making carefully reasoned decisions may only |
| and stereotypes that exist in today's society: the | | | | reinforce the illusion of objectivity, for example |
| white veteran cop who has a bias against Blacks, | | | | attorneys. |
| a Caucasian gun shop owner who has a bias | | | | We obtain biases and stereotypes from our |
| against Persians, a Caucasian District Attorney's | | | | surroundings, family, friends, neighbors, music, |
| wife who has a stereotype of Latinos, Black car | | | | television, movies and what we read, as well as |
| thieves who have a bias against Caucasians, a | | | | our own experiences. These experiences begin |
| Black police detective who has a stereotype of | | | | when we are very young children. The rules from |
| Hispanics, and the list goes on. Each of the | | | | our culture are not what is written but are learned |
| characters who acted upon their own biases is | | | | from those around us, and as children we accept |
| transformed in this movie to a hero, when they | | | | these unwritten rules without question. In order to |
| set aside their bias and get to know the others' | | | | eliminate a bias, we have to begin to raise the |
| uniqueness. | | | | unconscious to the conscious level and begin to |
| This year, we see a universal view of this | | | | recognize our biases. Self awareness of how we |
| transformation in Babel where people from | | | | react to "others" is vital to breaking conflict |
| different countries are transformed from acting | | | | generating patterns caused by a bias. We should |
| on stereotypes to embracing people for whom | | | | not be intimidated by engaging in a discussion |
| they are. Will Babel follow on the heals of Crash | | | | regarding biases and stereotypes. We should |
| and win the Oscar for best picture? Babel begins | | | | recognize that familiar scripts do not apply, and |
| in the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a | | | | modify our communication behaviors accordingly. |
| rifle shot rings out--detonating a chain of events | | | | Attention must be paid to the unique, individual |
| that will illicit biases and stereotypes such as the | | | | features of others. |
| shooting of the American Tourist in Morocco is | | | | How can movies, like Crash and Babel, be used to |
| thought to be caused by a terrorist followed by | | | | help us get in touch with our unconscious biases? |
| the hunt for the perpetrator, a nanny illegally | | | | Do not be intimidated by engaging in a discussion |
| crossing into Mexico with two American children in | | | | regarding the biases and stereotypes that are |
| order to engage into a night of partying and | | | | portrayed in these movies. Explore the |
| drinking at her son's wedding, and a Japanese | | | | transformations that occur with each character as |
| hearing-impaired teen rebel who is shunned by | | | | they begin to set aside their stereotypes of the |
| peers because of her disability. Separated by | | | | other and they begin to recognize the unique and |
| clashing cultures and sprawling distances, each of | | | | individual features of others. Begin to pay |
| these four disparate groups of people is | | | | attention to how we communicate with the ethnic |
| nevertheless hurtling toward a shared destiny of | | | | and racial groups that are depicted in the Movies. |
| isolation and grief caused, in part, by a | | | | Broaden our understanding and enhance our |
| stereotype, but in the end are reconnected | | | | sensitivity toward these races and ethnicities. |
| through understanding and appreciation of the | | | | Avoid generalizing about a culture based on past |
| others' uniqueness. | | | | information or observations, apply information only |
| Researchers have found that human being's have | | | | to the situation in which you receive it. Make |
| unconscious biases. Studies conducted by | | | | opportunities to interact with people with different |
| Stanford University, have concluded that even | | | | cultures, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and abilities. |
| when we think we are compensating for our bias, | | | | Finally realize that transforming attitudes and |
| it is not something we can easily remove or | | | | behaviors can be challenging and takes time. Crash |
| factor out of our decisions because it operates | | | | and Babel were not filmed in a day. |