White Men Can't Help It
We all have innate biases, and probably spend a considerable amount of time hiding it, controlling it or just outright trying to squash it. We're probably successful too, and that's only because we're aware that we do have them. How about those that don't know they have them? Worse case scenario: they, or their companies, become the subject of lots of negative publicity and perhaps even lawsuits -- lawsuits that they will most likely lose, as judges and jurors are becoming more aware of innate biases.
BusinessWeek profiles sociologist, William T. Bielby, who has testified in numerous cases in the US -- contending that white men -- the predominant culprits being brought to task in US courts -- just can't help being white men -- and white men can't help but discriminate. Bielby contends in his testimonies that companies "give managers too much discretion and let them rely on too many subjective factors in hiring, promotion, and pay. In that kind of unfettered atmosphere, he says, all people (not just white men) unknowingly revert to stereotypes in making decisions."
While innate biases are very real -- Bielby's critics argue that Bielby himself is biased. His contention that he "just have to leave you to your own devices, and because you are a white male, you will discriminate" is dangerous. Most of us will make decisions that are at least in part subjective -- but for those who are aware of their biases and do something about it, Bielby is entirely wrong in his assessment. He dismisses us all for having biases but refuses to acknowledge that they can be countered.
Related reading:
BusinessWeek profiles sociologist, William T. Bielby, who has testified in numerous cases in the US -- contending that white men -- the predominant culprits being brought to task in US courts -- just can't help being white men -- and white men can't help but discriminate. Bielby contends in his testimonies that companies "give managers too much discretion and let them rely on too many subjective factors in hiring, promotion, and pay. In that kind of unfettered atmosphere, he says, all people (not just white men) unknowingly revert to stereotypes in making decisions."
While innate biases are very real -- Bielby's critics argue that Bielby himself is biased. His contention that he "just have to leave you to your own devices, and because you are a white male, you will discriminate" is dangerous. Most of us will make decisions that are at least in part subjective -- but for those who are aware of their biases and do something about it, Bielby is entirely wrong in his assessment. He dismisses us all for having biases but refuses to acknowledge that they can be countered.
Related reading:
- Detecting Hidden Bias -- from the HR magazine
- Project Implicit -- detect your hidden biases
- Hidden Bias: A Primer -- from Tolerance.org.
For a more complete picture of how this stuff comes up in litigation contexts, take a look at my expert report in the Wal-Mart case. The issue isn't really about how people think but about how workplace contexts do or do not allow stereotypes to impact personnel decisions.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.walmartclass.com/all_reports.html