Week 6 Topic 1
Assessment Description
Read in your textbook about unintentional racism. Examine your own unintentional
bias. What are the areas such as communication, behavior, or other areas of
interaction where you may engage in unintentional bias? How might that affect your
ability to work with diverse populations?
I believe that in some way we all exhibit unintentional bias. I grew up in a neighborhood that had
a very diverse community. The kind of upbringing, lifestyle, and culture a person is from will
have an impact on the unintentional biases they may hold. Because of how my parents reacted
and viewed things, I used to have certain judgments. When I encountered an individual who I
initially view as rough, my first instinctual reaction was to avoid them completely. Basically, out
of sight out of mind I have learned to change my way of thinking and how I viewed things. I
went through my own experiences that also helped mold me into a different person. But at times
when I see someone panhandling at the convenience store, I feel myself wanting to have a
negative judgment towards them. I believe that this type of unintentional bias is unacceptable as
a counselor. It could hold a very negative impact on my client and cause them harm. Working
with a diverse population I have learned how to see things from different perspectives and feel
that I teach myself to be better every day.
Week 6 Topic 2
Assessment Description
Read "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by McIntosh. Which principles discussed by
McIntosh surprised you most? List at least three and discuss how these may
influence you.
This article is such a great read. This entire article stuck out to me. To see someone become self-
aware by acknowledging their privilege and how it affects those around them is quite refreshing
and enlightening. When reading this article, I couldn't help but think about myself and if any of
those effects were true for me.
Number six, being told about national heritage or civilization, I felt that this part was relevant
and influential to me because of my family background with boarding schools. When I was
taught about civilization in school it seemed like a tale from a storybook. But then realizing the
truth behind it, you realize that is what "civilization" looked like for Native Americans and our
contribution. Next would be number fifteen, asking to speak for the entire group. In the church
groups especially, there was always a comment that went along the lines of "is that how your
family does this too?". It was always a question towards me, as I was one of the few brown kids.
And lastly, going shopping without harassment. This has been more common for me as an adult
than it was as a child.
I think now, there is more tolerance due to awareness, but I do not feel that tolerance is enough.
Assessment Description
Read in your textbook about unintentional racism. Examine your own unintentional
bias. What are the areas such as communication, behavior, or other areas of
interaction where you may engage in unintentional bias? How might that affect your
ability to work with diverse populations?
I believe that in some way we all exhibit unintentional bias. I grew up in a neighborhood that had
a very diverse community. The kind of upbringing, lifestyle, and culture a person is from will
have an impact on the unintentional biases they may hold. Because of how my parents reacted
and viewed things, I used to have certain judgments. When I encountered an individual who I
initially view as rough, my first instinctual reaction was to avoid them completely. Basically, out
of sight out of mind I have learned to change my way of thinking and how I viewed things. I
went through my own experiences that also helped mold me into a different person. But at times
when I see someone panhandling at the convenience store, I feel myself wanting to have a
negative judgment towards them. I believe that this type of unintentional bias is unacceptable as
a counselor. It could hold a very negative impact on my client and cause them harm. Working
with a diverse population I have learned how to see things from different perspectives and feel
that I teach myself to be better every day.
Week 6 Topic 2
Assessment Description
Read "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by McIntosh. Which principles discussed by
McIntosh surprised you most? List at least three and discuss how these may
influence you.
This article is such a great read. This entire article stuck out to me. To see someone become self-
aware by acknowledging their privilege and how it affects those around them is quite refreshing
and enlightening. When reading this article, I couldn't help but think about myself and if any of
those effects were true for me.
Number six, being told about national heritage or civilization, I felt that this part was relevant
and influential to me because of my family background with boarding schools. When I was
taught about civilization in school it seemed like a tale from a storybook. But then realizing the
truth behind it, you realize that is what "civilization" looked like for Native Americans and our
contribution. Next would be number fifteen, asking to speak for the entire group. In the church
groups especially, there was always a comment that went along the lines of "is that how your
family does this too?". It was always a question towards me, as I was one of the few brown kids.
And lastly, going shopping without harassment. This has been more common for me as an adult
than it was as a child.
I think now, there is more tolerance due to awareness, but I do not feel that tolerance is enough.
