Voices Members Discuss Bias

Voices United members (from left) Elaine Kushmaul, Ginny Shepperd, Jackie Ford, and Merriott Terry discuss the book Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do. (Photo by Jane Scholz)

Jane Scholz

Members of the Voices United Diversity Committee met on Good Friday to discuss the 2019 book Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do, by Jennifer Eberhardt, PhD.

The book is filled with reports of scientific studies, many of which were very eye-opening. But the book also included many stories of individual people, including about the author and her family members, which kept one’s interest high.

Members shared personal memories sparked by the book during the discussion at the home of member Adele Steward. One member shared this definition:

“Bias refers to a thought of an individual or a group which is leaning towards an area of life such as politics, society, religion, or economics. Prejudice is the process of making decisions or judging something with a premature mind and making your own facts instead of knowing the real truth about a person or a thing.

“Bias can be referred to as a process where you prefer one thing over another thing. Prejudice is the word used to refer to something that you hate completely.”

Voices members hold regular discussions on current issues, as well as thought-provoking books.

Voices United is a non-partisan group of Robson Ranch women who share progressive values, perform community outreach, provide civic awareness and social contact for members, and have a good time! We’re a 501(c)(3) group. Our annual dues are $20.

For more information, contact [email protected].