Diocesan Resources
Examining Our Subconscious Perceptions - Spanish
Examining Our Subconscious Perceptions - Spanish
Implicit Bias Handout
As Catholics, we are united across the human limits of nation, culture, race and sex due to our Baptism, which makes us members of the Body of Christ and thus “members one of another” (CCC 1267, quoting Eph. 4:25). But because of sin, we can sometimes fail to recognize the dignity of some members of our human family, even subconsciously (CCC 814).
In Open Wide Our Hearts, the bishops write:
"Racism can often be found in our hearts – in many cases placed there unwillingly or unknowingly by our upbringing and culture. As such, it can lead to thoughts and actions that we do not even see as racist, but nonetheless flow from the same prejudicial root. Consciously or subconsciously, this attitude of superiority can be seen in how certain groups of people are vilified, called criminals, or are perceived as being unable to contribute to society, even unworthy of its benefits."
Implicit bias can have very real consequences. The bishops write: “Consciously or subconsciously, this attitude of superiority can be seen in how certain groups of people are vilified, called criminals, or are perceived as being unable to contribute to society, even unworthy of its benefits.”