I just took this Harvard-designed test available here. (It takes about 10 or 15 minutes–you’ll need at least a double-digit IQ to follow the instructions).
I don’t want to discuss the methodology here, as I wouldn’t want to effect your own results.
I was disappointed in mine. I expected some “slight preference” for associating European American faces with positive images flashed on the screen (what with being European American and all)–but the test results came up with, gulp, a “strong” preference.
Well–good to know. More to work on.
Better to be aware of that than have the self-delusion of the “not a racist bone in my body”/”why, some of my best friends are…” bunch.
June 9, 2007 at 10:37 am |
The best part is to see somebody who is extremely “anti-racist” take the test, sure that they will be vindicated.
They try SO hard not to associate the correct things with black people and not make mistakes, but it really judges on the timing of your response. Hence, such a person who is so concerned with responding appropriately to black people responds slower and results show they have a VERY strong preference for dealing with white people.
Then they get very angry and go into denial.
June 9, 2007 at 12:05 pm |
Yep–I can think of a person or two you and I know that protest that they’re “not racist at all”–despite the occasional idiotic comment–that I’d like to see take the test.
Fighting racism starts with acknowledging that we all have some, recognizing it, and trying to do better.
June 9, 2007 at 9:58 pm |
I think its one thing to be “racist” and another to think differently about other races. I grew up surrounded by little white kids such as myself, so of course I feel differently when I see different races. I don’t dislike them, but I don’t believe that any human being in the world truly thinks about different races the same.