Reflection on Bias and Behaviour

Biases, we all have them. Horrid little things they are. There is an inherent tension between the need to discuss and resolve them and the guilt that we feel in acknowledging that they exist. Yet to solve the micro-inequities that plague our behavior we need to talk about the root causes; our belief systems and how they manifest in our daily lives. We need a metaphorical mirror held up that makes us aware of how our thoughts and actions impact others, but that mirror should not shame us to the point of defensiveness, turning us away. The ‘like a girl campaign’ holds up such a mirror to society and sharing it through social media provides an outlet for one’s emotions, feelings, and beliefs. It is compelling and credible enough even for the most reclusive social media user, one who is tired of the inane chatter about daily routines and pictures of food and dancing cats, to advocate for the message that it sends. Importantly, though it is provocative, it is not offensive, hence when one makes the abstract mental equation before sharing it the potential benefits clearly outweigh the potential costs.