After visiting the Be More website, it was interesting to learn that a movement existed which sought to shed light on and mitigate racial bias. Previously, I believed that it was simply common sense that everyone should be treated on their character and merits rather than the color of their skin. I used to subscribe to the notion that people should just “get over” any racial attacks aimed against them. Instead of seeking revenge, those attacked should simply attain a position of power and allow their accomplishments to reframe the racial schemas of the attackers. Simply put, a minority that gains a good reputation within the society by attaining a high position of power (like becoming the President) will inevitably change the perspective of racists. Perhaps I believed in such a way because I have access to resources that are not available to many such as education or food.

However, after watching videos of young children succumbing to the snares of negative racial bias, I began to rethink my position. These children, who at a young age, are conditioned to believe that one race is better than another. Perhaps the most concrete evidence of this is when the children are asked why they would more likely associate with people of the same color, they responded with the answer that their parents or relatives may scold them, implying that racial biases are passed down from generation to generation.

I took a test to learn my “Implicit Race Association” on the website. I was happy to learn that I only had a “slight” preference for European American children as opposed to African American children. Though I have no clue as to how this test was conducted, I wondered: what is the solution to unconscious bias? If no solution exists, the Be More movement would lose its purpose. Quite the contrary, the website cites an article which suggests that “mindfulness” is the key to mitigating this bias. According to the article, even though one may “assert egalitarian values,” scientific evidence shows that being more aware of our biases can reframe our schemas of race and lead to a more understanding society.

One aspect of the movement that stood out to me was Vasudha Gupta’s saying that the movement is intended for professionals, such as doctors and teachers, because they work with people of many different races. However, one question I have for Vasudha and Anurag Gupta is why not institute the same ideals for a broader range of audience particularly high school or college students since they are more “malleable”? What are some of the activities that are done in training and how is the effectiveness of the activities in reducing racial bias measured? I am interested in such questions because I see it as a way to elucidate my outlook of the world.