We have to face the fact that snap judgments have become a problem in today's culture. Whether it's about politics or religious beliefs, people tend to pick their side and stick with it. But what makes this a bigger problem is that it affects the way we treat one another. Everyone is in some shape or form biased, but it's how we create our biases that really matter.
When I hear someone say, "Oh, they're being extremely close-minded", I interpret that as a person saying that their assumptions are what controls their beliefs. Beliefs are what we are raised to follow and how we form our values. They're taught at birth (for the most part), meaning that we're somewhat robbed of the opportunity to think and believe on our own. This is how biases form because we are told to believe in one thing and one thing only. However, that shouldn't be the case when it comes to judgments and how we choose to perceive certain situations.
Growing up, I've learned that it's important to not only stand up for your own beliefs but to also have support on why you value them in the first place. For example, when a national or global crisis happens, I always check both CNN and Fox News, because I want to see how conservatives and liberals react to the situation before I can properly take my stance. I do this so that I can see the bigger picture of the problem and be able to voice my opinion in a more effective way rather than making claims that are unrealistic and absurd. I always go through a handful of sources just to make sure I'm getting the full story. In order to have value, you need to be able to find where that acceptance and truth comes from.
Another way of saying this is that we need to learn other points of view in order to strengthen our own. I can claim that I love vanilla ice cream and that it's the best flavor out there. But (in this example) vanilla is the only flavor I've ever consumed in my life. If I'm unaware of the taste of chocolate, strawberry, rocky road, etc., then how can my judgement be clear and rational if I'm not credible enough in what I'm claiming? I believe that vanilla is th best because it's all I'm aware of. However, once trying all the other flavors and confirming that vanilla is the best, it's enough to give me the support I need to show that I have indeed tried others flavors and yet still lean towards vanilla.
Although this was a juvenile way to explain it, portraying why biases can be damaging is important because judgements and reasoning can be false if they are not properly examined and executed. Overall, you need to be willing to stand in someone else's shoes before forming your own set of beliefs.
