Key Theme #1 from the Anti-Bias Survey of ACPE Members

In preparation for the 2021 ACPE Annual Conference Creating Room to Breathe, ACPE has identified themes from the Anti-Bias survey of ACPE members. In the following weeks, ACPE will be publishing the key themes that emerged from the Anti-Bias survey results.

Key Theme #1 – We think we are doing a better job than we might actually be doing … 

In results from the recent Anti-Bias survey of ACPE members, the vast majority of respondents report that we spend time reflecting on our own upbringings and childhoods to better understand our own biases, and that we look at our own attitudes, behaviors, and speech as adults to determine ways we are either contributing to or combating prejudice. Many of us report we accept feedback on our use of language to avoid terms or phrases that may be hurtful to other groups.

And yet … more than three quarters of us have frequently observed incidents of prejudice, bias, or discrimination in ourselves or in our colleagues. More than half of us report being ignored or rejected when giving feedback about comments or behavior we experienced as culturally insensitive or offensive. And more than 60 percent of us report that we have experienced prejudice, bias, or discrimination related to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, etc. occasionally or more often.

What does this mean? We have work to do, to understand and to address the discrepancy between our talk and our walk. Equity is a core value, but our interventions and behaviors are not always in line with our values.

Hear this: A survey respondent noted, “I want to comment that although I have felt discrimination on different occasions and in different ways in my process, I also give thanks for those who have been sensitive to listen and advocate for me. I must be honest that it was not easy to accept the advocacy from others for fear of retaliation. It's not easy having to walk double just because I didn't grow up with the same privileges as others. It is sad that we still have to continue fighting for minority rights.”

Reflect on this: What is your strongest feeling about the upcoming conference?