x
Breaking News
More () »

What does 'implicit bias' training entail?

Cecil Canton, a criminal justice Professor at Sacramento State said his workshops put people in situations they might not be comfortable with discussing openly, but it's necessary.

'Implicit bias training' is something we're hearing a lot of recently.

On Monday, Starbucks announced its 8,000 company-owned stores across the country will close on May 29 so employees can receive racial bias training.

Protestors in Sacramento have also demanded more implicit bias training for Sacramento Police following the shooting death of Stephon Clark.

In another local instance, the lawyer of Nandi Cain Jr., a black man who was beaten by an officer during a jaywalking stop, settled with the city of Sacramento for $550,000 and changes in policy for the police department. Part of that change includes mandatory scenario-based implicit bias and procedural justice training for all officers.

So what exactly does 'implicit bias training' entail?

ABC10's Frances Wang spoke with Cecil Canton, a criminal justice Professor at Sacramento State since 1991. The New York native also spent years as a peace officer and working for the Department of Corrections. Canton conducts implicit bias workshops in Sacramento through the California Faculty Association, where he serves as the Associate Vice President of Affirmative Action.

The workshop is called 'A Journey into Change: An Unconscious Bias Workshop' and is described as "an ongoing training intended to foster an environment wherein we can recruit and retain a more diverse faculty workforce and decrease workplace hostility."

The website description is as follows:

Through academic research methods and sharing of personal experiences, we teach participants to recognize their own subconscious, hidden or previously unknown biases and preferences. Participants then learn ways to transform the system we work in by changing our own behavior, or commenting on others’ behavior, so that these biases and preferences no longer perpetuate a system of discrimination.

"We have to be able to talk about it," said Canton. "I always tell people: If you can't name it, you can't tame it."

Canton said his workshops put people in situations they might not be comfortable with discussing openly, but it's necessary. The workshops include presentations, videos, individual work, and discussions.

Small group discussions are the most difficult but effective, according to Canton.

"Oh, I've seen it as a harsh reality check," said Canton. "When you play it back for them, [they'll say] 'Oh that's not what I meant.' [Well,] it may not be what you meant or it may be...but that's what the other person got."

Canton commends Starbucks for their decision to train its employees on racial bias. However, he feels the real change would come with ethnic studies being taught as early as elementary school.

Canton points out that there is a difference between training and education. For now, though, he said implicit bias training is a start and that it's especially important for police officers.

"People who are going to work in an area where life or death may be at stake need to have and understanding of other people and people they're gonna service," said Canton.

Canton adds that some people go through the workshop multiple times, and that each time, the experience and lessons learned are different.

Continue the conversation with Frances on Facebook.

Before You Leave, Check This Out