Bias refers to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, social-class, educational status, religion, theology, denomination, nationality, ethnic group, profession or other factors. The high incidence of bias today has resulted in a toxic environment characterized by racism, gender-apartheid, nepotism, tribalism, exclusion and a host of other undesirable behaviors. Bias is not only a reflection of the great disunity within societies, it is probably also responsible for a significant delay in progress within organizations, communities and countries.<\/p>\n
In Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias<\/em>, author Pragya Agarwal points out that the Amygdala, the \u201csuperfast \u2026 emotional part of the brain,\u201d is responsible for bias[1]<\/a>. In other words, our emotional feelings, which often feed our perception or intuition, influence our conclusions about individuals and the groups they belong to. This has led to stereotypes that discriminate against people for no just reason. According to Kahneman, author of Thinking Fast and Slow<\/em>, our judgement could be so skewed that we fall victim to some 20 different kinds of bias[2]<\/a>. Historically, bias has been unconsciously and unintentionally promoted in several societies, including ancient Greece. Indeed, bias is so widespread that even respected philosophers like Aristotle and Philo have been credited with \u201cstarting\u201d gender polarization[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Since every individual has blind spots, and even our most enlightened spiritual leaders, \u201cknow [only] in part and prophesy in part[4]<\/a>\u201d, Sway<\/em> has challenged me to carefully consider any ways in which I am biased. This has resulted in revisiting my general suspicion of individuals from the southern part of my native country, Nigeria. Traditionally, this part of the country has been responsible for majority of the financial and drug-related crimes of Nigeria (a shameful subject for many of my countrymen). Subsequently, I am often cautious in my first meeting with individuals from this part of the country – even if they say they are followers of Jesus. Yet I want to make sure I do not treat all with suspicion, as there are many who have as much integrity as anyone I know.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Agarwal addresses the tension between our biases and the need for objectivity. She observes that we are all blessed with a prefrontal cortex, the \u201csensible part of the brain\u201d which exercises \u201cinhibitory control over emotion\u201d and is responsible for reality[5]<\/a>. This and the success stories of individuals, organizations, and societies that value meritocracy, egalitarianism, and being detribalized, give me hope that making progress in overcoming bias is possible.<\/p>\n Bias has important implications for Christian leadership within my context. First, it is imperative that local Christian leaders follow the model of Jesus, a God that does not practice favoritism[6]<\/a>. This would mean local leaders nurture an environment that values meritocracy and demonstrates this in appointments to office, allocation of resources, project implementation, and a host of other ways. At the grassroots level, we could address our biases by appreciating the daily sacrifices of mothers, sisters, and other womenfolk in efficiently running families; managing small businesses that feed the family; and encouraging kids to stay off the streets and study hard. We could even have an annual award for excellent parenting within low-income communities; and the award should include single parents who demonstrate excellence in raising their kids. If unconscious bias is not simply a deep-seated problem but also an opportunity for a Christian response, then perhaps the biases in our societies are a call to return to Biblical meditation and prayerful study, and thereby renew our worldviews to one that is more aligned to the Creator that invites us to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Agarwal, Pragya. Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias. <\/em>(London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020), 65.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking Fast and Slow.<\/em> (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013) 11.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Agarwal, Sway, 190.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> 1 Corinthians 13:9<\/p>\n