1. Stereotype Replacement

This consists of replacing stereotypical responses with non-stereotypical responses. A response is a thought or action in reaction to something. So, a stereotypical response is a reaction based on a stereotype. Here are the steps:

1. Recognize that your response is based on a stereotype.

2. Label that response as a stereotype.

3. Reflect on why the response occurred.

4. Replace that response with an unbiased response.

5. Consider how that biased response can be avoided in the future.

For example, you see a Black man walking towards you on the sidewalk. A hand immediately reaches for your phone, keys, or pepper spray and you consider crossing the street.

1.You recognize that you are responding based on the stereotype that Black men are associated with violence.

2.You label that response as stereotypical.

3.You reflect that that response might have occurred due to the portrayal of Black men in the media and the lack of Black men you have been acquainted within your life.

4. You replace that defensive response with a kind smile, nod, or "hello" as you pass him.

5. You consider that when faced with this situation in the future, you will remember this instance and choose kindness over stereotypical fear.

2. Counter-stereotypic imagery

This strategy consists of imagining counter-stereotypic others in detail. Counter-stereotypic means to go against or oppose the stereotype. These can be abstract, like imagining smart Black people, gentle Black men, and non-sassy Latino women.

They can also be famous, like Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Lopez. Or, these people can be non-famous such as a personal friend.

For example, when you find yourself attributing a stereotype to a person just based on the way that they look, consider that there are lots of people that look the same, yet do not maintain that stereotype.

By countering stereotypes with the knowledge that so many people of color do not fall into those stereotypes, you can break down the mechanisms in your mind that promote them.

After a while, stereotypes will start to sound ridiculous as it becomes more and more obvious that a whole population of people cannot have the exact same personality traits. You can also consider how you would feel to be associated with a negative stereotype by almost everyone who crosses your path (more on that in number four).

3. Individuation

This strategy relies on preventing stereotypical assumptions by obtaining specific information about individual group members. Evaluating specific members of a target group based on personal attributes rather than group-based attributes helps to reduce biases.

To complete this task, you must make the effort to talk personally with the people of color that you pass on a daily basis. This may consist of people in your classes, in line at the grocery store, coworkers, on the train, and even on online platforms.

If you know that you see the same person on your routes each day, think about what assumptions you have made about them. Then, make an effort to kindly ask them how they are doing, how their day is going, or anything else that fits the scenario.

Always do this with sincerity and respect. You will be surprised by how speaking to them instantly destroys your preconceived notions. Stereotyping is often dehumanizing and objectifying, so simply giving those people a voice and listening to their perspective, no matter what they say, can illuminate individuality.

4. Perspective taking

This strategy involves taking the perspective of a member of a stereotyped group. In other words, putting yourself in their shoes. This can increase psychological closeness to that group, which improves your automatic evaluations of that group and the people in it.

So, every time you make an assumption and decision about someone based on a stereotype, consider how you would feel if your external world relied on other people's stereotypical ideas of you.

Returning to the same example as number one, a black man walking past you on the sidewalk, imagine how you would feel if almost every person you passed responded to you in a fearful or defensive way. Think of how grateful that man would be to receive a smile and a "hello" instead.

For those who are white or white-passing, this is also a call to consider your privilege. Consider all of the things that you don't have to think about or deal with that non-white passing people do.

Do you have to consider that the reason you didn't get that job was because of your skin color? Can you assume that when you speak up in a group of all white people, your voice will be heard? Do you have to search harder to find products and services that consider your skin color and hair texture?

Can you assume that any book store or postcard will represent people of your color and history? When you get pulled over, are you scared for your life? Do you have to teach your children how to make it home safe every night in a world where society and police devalue them?

When you go into stores, do staff follow you around to keep an eye on you? Do you have to consider that if someone does not like you, even teachers and other superiors, that it might only be because of the color of your skin? These questions, and hundreds more, shed light on the privileges that white or light skin grants its inhabitants.

I urge you to spend a day going about your normal routine while asking yourself simple questions like the ones above.

5. Increasing opportunities for contact

This strategy involves seeking circumstances to encounter and engage in positive interactions with all kinds of people and colors. Increased contact can reduce implicit biases by altering our cognitive representations and improving our evaluations of out-group members.

This is similar to individuation, in which it requires physical closeness and the curiosity to understand the experiences of those who do not look like you. However, this requires a bit more than striking up a casual conversation with your Black Uber driver or coworker.

If you are attending university, this might involve seeking out clubs, classes, or town hall meetings that you know to be more diverse and/or focussed on diversity and the experiences of people of color. If you are white and used to being around white people, go somewhere where you might be the minority of the group for once.

If you are not attending university, or even if you are, change up where you shop or receive services once in a while, especially if you live in or near a city where there are endless options. Try out companies and restaurants owned by or popular among Black, Latino, and Asian people.

This is important for physically and mentally expanding outside of white idealism and it is also incredibly important that we support the businesses of people of color as much as or more than huge commercial companies like Target, Walmart, and McDonald's.

And most importantly, listen. Listen to the voices of people of color. Understand that they can be drastically different from each other, and that is beautiful and worth your awareness.

Normalize seeking out diversity to expand your horizons and knowledge of what you do not know.