Ageism. The Unconscious Bias
I was invited to play moderator at a wonderful event at the Clayton Hotel and Members Club in Cherry Creek, Colorado, thanks to my good friend Jeffrey Kass, Esq. He held an event delving into our own biases, and I found that even as the moderator, who, shocker, is a black woman, too, I was steadily taking notes myself, listening, 'hearing,' and learning as our special guests, Midian Z. Holmes, Dr. Ryan Ross, PhD, and Jeffrey, explored the subject. Now, you have to know that I also looked at the Unconscious Bias subject on Race as one on Age as well.
Unconscious Bias: Race and Ethnicity
It's inherently a part of who we are, but the question is, what will we do about it when it arises in our minds? Will we instead be 'curious' rather than categorizing that human? Bucketing them together as one. When we cross the street because we're afraid of how someone looks, the moment we make a move into action - crossing the street, we're conscious of our bias. That's when we need to recognize our bias and let go of the judgment and, instead, be curious (and kind).
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Unconscious Bias: Ageism
In my work to change the narrative about age and aging today, unconscious and conscious biases comes into play every day. When LinkedIn posts an ad showing a woman over 50 not understanding her son's job in tech, that's unconscious bias (true story). And when we joke about people over a certain age from the comedy stages about saggy skin being unappealing because it’s been branded as such and the audience roars with laughter, that's bias. And not funny. It perpetuates the lie and brand story that we are technophobes at 55 or that women aren’t sexy after 60.
Unconscious Bias. Be Curious, Not Bias
Invite someone you're curious to know to dinner at your home. Let's go deeper, not wider in our conversations with one another.
Thank you, Jeffrey, for allowing me to participate in the conversation. And thank you, Clayton Hotel & Members Club, for hosting this important conversation.
Barbara Brooks | Age Diversity Speaker, 50+ Content Creator, and Founder of SecondAct|Women
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