Building Bridges, Not Walls: How Courageous Connections Can Challenge Your Biases
Connection is the lifeblood of our relationships, our communities, and our society as a whole. But what happens when those connections are limited by our own biases, preconceived notions, and fears?
Our friends at the Greater Good Science Center created a resource to help make courageous connections with others and to grow civil courage—what Greater Good defines as “brave behavior which is founded on an understanding of injustices and seeks to address such injustices.” Their tool invites all of us to take a courageous step beyond our comfort zones and forge new connections that challenge our ingrained biases. It's about understanding that the people we often avoid based on appearance or perceived differences are individuals with rich stories and unique perspectives waiting to be discovered. Below are four key takeaways from the resource that we thought were especially powerful and timely.
“It’s about understanding that the people we often avoid based on appearance or perceived differences are individuals with rich stories and unique perspectives waiting to be discovered.”
1. Facing our biases
The first step in building courageous connections is taking an honest look at ourselves. We all hold biases, conscious or unconscious, that shape how we interact with the world around us.
Take a moment to think about the following:
Are there individuals or groups of people whom you typically avoid? What stereotypes do you hold about them?
Why do you avoid them? Is it fear, discomfort, or simply a lack of familiarity?
What impact do your beliefs and actions have on your relationships? On your community?
2. Stepping out of our comfort zones
Once you've identified your biases, it's time to challenge them. Try this:
Identify someone from your daily life whom you tend to avoid based on perceived differences, such as political views, race/ethnicity, gender, or even just how they act. Make a plan to get to know them a bit better, even if you just have a brief conversation.
Approach the interaction with an open mind and a genuine desire to learn. Try to listen with empathy.
Reflect on the experience after the interaction. Did your fears materialize? Did you discover something surprising? What did you learn about yourself and the other person?
3. Going beyond the individual
Building courageous connections isn't just about personal growth; it has the potential to ripple outwards and impact our community and society as a whole. By breaking down our own biases and building bridges with people from different backgrounds, we can:
Foster understanding and empathy. Seeing the world through someone else's eyes can challenge our own perspectives and broaden our horizons.
Reduce prejudice and discrimination. When we get to know individuals as people, not stereotypes, it becomes harder to justify prejudice based on group affiliation.
Build a more inclusive and just society. By celebrating our differences and fostering connections across divides, we can create a world where everyone feels valued and respected.
4. Taking the first step
Building courageous connections requires courage, but the rewards are immense. It's about stepping outside our comfort zones, challenging our biases, and opening ourselves up to the richness and diversity of human experience.
Who will you reach out to today? Who will you challenge yourself to connect with, even if you have reservations? Remember, every courageous conversation has the potential to build a bridge and create a more inclusive world.
Let's start building bridges, not walls. One courageous connection at a time.
Posted by Alison Cashin, Director of Communications, and Milena Batanova, Director of Research & Evaluation
