Once we recognize our biases, we may want to take steps to face them by learning more about a specific racial or ethnic group. Although this effort requires us to step out of our comfort zone and open ourselves to others, such an effort expands our sense of God’s love for the diversity of humanity.

Knowledge and genuine interpersonal communications help us to see how biases may be limiting our view of a particular ethnic or racial group.

Below are some suggestions for addressing our prejudices.

  1. Learn as much as possible about the history and culture of any group in question.
  2. Try to feel yourself in the skin of people from the other group. Try to walk in their shoes.
  3. Make a concerted effort to get to know some individuals from the other group on a personal basis.
  4. Find committees or other group efforts in which you can work with people from other groups toward the same goals.
  5. Attend gatherings organized by people from other social groups.
  6. Listen with an open ear and heart.
  7. Engage in meaningful conversation.
  8. Consider learning a few phrases in the language of the other group if they speak a different language, especially greetings and pleasantries.
  9. If the group speaks your language, become familiar with terms that have special meaning to the group.
  10. Find opportunities to come together for social events like meals and celebrations.
  11. Invite people into your home or visit them in their homes.
  12. Ask a friend or acquaintance who is from the other group to help you understand their experience. Listen to their thoughts with humility and an open heart.
  13. If developing such personal relationships is impossible, you can get a sense of knowing people from that group by reading novels, watching movies, and going to plays that convey their everyday life. However, before taking this step, ask yourself if it is really impossible to cultivate one or more relationships, or just too challenging? Could it be worth the challenge?
  14. Designate a specific time each day to find an inner stillness for at least a few minutes. During this time, hold people from the other group at the center of your being. Feel your own desire to let go of all intolerance. Commit yourself to faithfully honor this brief sacred time on a daily basis.

Meaningful and creative experiences between peoples can be more compelling than ideas, concepts, faiths, fears, ideologies and prejudices that divide them.

Howard Thurman

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