A student examines the origins of bias and ways to break the cycle
At Bingham Academy, our diverse community includes students from a variety of backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures. Occasionally, I hear a younger student ask, “Why does my friend look different from me?”
It’s an innocent question, but the response can significantly influence that child’s attitudes for years to come.
In Ethiopia, racism, as understood in the Western historical context, may not seem like a pressing national issue. Our history differs from that of countries such as the United States or South Africa. However, prejudice still exists here, often manifesting as ethnic bias, religious intolerance, or stereotypes about someone’s origins. Like racism elsewhere, these divisions can be inherited from one generation to the next if left unaddressed.
In today’s interconnected world, where information spreads rapidly through social media, understanding how bias develops is essential, even when the examples originate from other countries.
When Bias Begins
Research indicates that infants as young as six months can recognize differences in appearance. By the age of three, children often show a preference for playing with those who resemble them. While these early inclinations may seem harmless, if left unchallenged, they can evolve into enduring prejudice—whether related to race, ethnicity, or other differences.
Studies also demonstrate that children learn by observation. In experiments involving preschoolers, when an adult consistently treated one individual positively and another negatively, the children reflected those attitudes without any direct instruction. This implies that bias can be communicated through example rather than words.
The Problem with Silence
Many adults refrain from discussing differences to “keep the peace.” However, research indicates that avoiding these conversations can exacerbate the situation. Children are aware of differences, and if no one provides an explanation, they may come to view those differences as negative or shameful.
In Ethiopia, the same principle applies to ethnicity and religion. Silence can inadvertently reinforce stereotypes rather than prevent them.
Nature vs. Nurture
Some scientists suggest that humans have an inherent tendency to prefer what is familiar. In the animal kingdom, this instinct serves as a survival mechanism, protecting against outsiders who may pose new threats.
A well-known experiment at the University of Chicago tested this concept using rats. Initially, albino rats only assisted their own kind in distress, ignoring rats of different strains. However, after living together for a period, they began to help each other, regardless of their differences.
The takeaway? While initial bias may be instinctive, familiarity and interaction can transform suspicion into empathy.
The Four Levels of Bias
Although Ethiopia’s divisions may not always be about “race,” the same framework applies:
- Internalized bias: The private prejudices and stereotypes we hold within ourselves.
- Interpersonal bias: How these prejudices manifest in daily interactions.
- Institutional bias: Discriminatory practices that occur within organizations.
- Structural bias: Systems or laws that favor one group over another.
Bias is not merely an individual issue; it can be ingrained in the fabric of society.
Why This Matters for Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, prejudice may revolve around ethnicity, language, religion, or differences between rural and urban backgrounds. It can influence who we trust, who we hire, and who we include in our communities.
As Ethiopia becomes increasingly connected to the world through migration, education, and online platforms, these differences will be more challenging to overlook. Understanding how bias develops allows us to respond with empathy rather than fear.
Breaking the Cycle
Research and experience highlight three effective strategies for reducing bias:
- Leadership action: Leaders can foster cross-cultural events, promote inclusive education, and implement policies that encourage interactions among diverse groups.
- Individual action: We can examine our own assumptions, pause before making judgments, and view people as individuals rather than stereotypes.
- Parental guidance: Parents should address their children’s questions honestly, introduce them to diversity from an early age, and promptly correct biased behaviors.
In Dr. Walter Gilliam’s Yale study, teachers who frequently interacted with children from various backgrounds and openly discussed bias exhibited less discriminatory behavior. This principle holds true in families, workplaces, and communities: familiarity fosters understanding.
The Takeaway
While we may instinctively gravitate towards the familiar, prejudice is not a foregone conclusion. Environments that promote interaction, empathy, and open dialogue can diminish bias, while isolation and silence tend to amplify it.
In a country as diverse as Ethiopia, the choice is ours: we can allow our differences to divide us, or we can leverage them to create a stronger, more interconnected future.
Noel Thomas is a student Bingham Academy in Addis Ababa
