Implicit Bias: What is it and Why Does it Matter and Privilege, Bias, and Debiasing Systems-Presentation

Presentation - Privilege Bias and Debiasing Systems

Pdf Summary

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) presents an educational workshop on privilege, bias, and debiasing systems, aligned with its Equity Policy Framework. The content explores key concepts including implicit bias, schemas, stereotypes, attitudes, ingroup/outgroup dynamics, and particularly privilege and white privilege as defined by Peggy McIntosh. The workshop emphasizes understanding how unconscious cognitive processes and brain shortcuts contribute to systemic bias that perpetuates social inequalities.<br /><br />Examples are highlighted from history and modern contexts, especially in housing and community development, revealing how policies like single-family zoning and FHA practices reinforced racial segregation and economic disparities. The session also addresses bias against disabled and elderly populations, workplace discrimination, healthcare inequities, and the amplification of biases through social media algorithms and content moderation.<br /><br />NAHRO identifies that housing agencies and their staff reflect community biases but stresses the potential for change through awareness and deliberate action. Practical strategies to mitigate bias include staff education, inclusive recruitment practices, counter-stereotypical training, promoting intergroup contact, and revising internal policies to ensure fairness and accountability. Emphasis is placed on ongoing self-awareness, mindfulness, perspective-taking, and measuring outcomes after implementing bias-reduction measures.<br /><br />The workshop encourages using privilege positively by recognizing it and actively stewarding it to benefit all. It also cautions against assumed objectivity in decision-making, advocating deliberate, inclusive processes.<br /><br />NAHRO offers further learning opportunities via community readiness, housing history, and equity action planning courses to deepen participants’ knowledge and skills toward fostering more equitable housing and community development practices. The program aims to empower professionals to recognize, address, and dismantle systemic biases effectively within their organizations and communities.

Keywords

NAHRO

privilege

bias

debiasing systems

Equity Policy Framework

implicit bias

white privilege

housing discrimination

inclusive recruitment

systemic bias