In a diverse college, a group came together,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To chat about biases, whatever the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We talked openly, delved into deep thought,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeking comfort in discomfort, lessons we sought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Unconscious bias,” a term we often hear,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From childhood beliefs, it’s deep-rooted, I fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our views on race, religion, and bonds,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shape our choices, where bias responds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Images we’re fed, both good and bad,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Influence our minds, happy or sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black seen as flawed, white held in light,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psychology guides, decisions taking flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microaggressions, those subtle slights,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judgments made in everyday lights. “Colourblind” remarks, and “all lives matter” claims,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Touching hair without consent, adding to pains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They say “micro,” but the harm’s quite clear,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those on the receiving end, it’s severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truth needs a voice, no deception in sight,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plain aggressions hurt, let’s set them right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black voices muted, white ideas praised,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bias thrives where invisible walls are raised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You’re a credit to your race,” they mutter,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A compliment hollow, veiled in clutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have we asked to touch, judged by a curl?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or questioned someone’s roots, in a curious whirl?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m not racist,” some say in defence,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shielded by friends, makes no sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Micro” they say, but the impact is strong,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each slight, each jab, lasts long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you speak, before you act,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check your bias, empathy intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alyson Malach<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 March 2024<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a diverse college, a group came together, To chat about biases, whatever the weather. We talked openly, delved into deep thought, Seeking comfort in discomfort, lessons we sought. “Unconscious bias,” a term we often hear, From childhood beliefs, it’s deep-rooted, I fear. Our views on race, religion, and bonds, Shape our choices, where bias […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-poetry-by-alyson-malach"],"yoast_head":"\n