Breaking through Bias

I never really thought much about unconscious bias until I had a class on it recently, and yes, I've experienced it firsthand.

It wasn’t an obvious, in-your-face kind of discrimination

No

It was rather subtle, almost invisible, but I could feel it.

One experience that stuck with me was when I went for a job interview.

The interviewer barely looked at my CV before saying,

“You seem young… do you think you can handle this role?”

I remember sitting there, feeling like I had to prove myself before I even got the chance to speak.

It wasn’t about my skills or experienceit was about an assumption.

At that moment, I had two choices, shrink back or own my space. I chose the latter. I smiled, straightened up, and confidently walked him through my experiences, my achievements, and why I was the right person for the job.

By the end, her whole demeanor changed. She saw me differently, not as someone too young, but as someone capable.

That experience taught me that unconscious bias isn’t always intentional, but it’s real.

And sometimes, the best way to challenge it isn’t by calling it out directly, but by showing up and proving it wrong.

Now, I try to be more aware of my own biases too, because we all have them.

The important thing is being willing to unlearn and do better

Bolutife Asake

HerStory Teller