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Reflecting on implicit bias, colorism, and my role in public health
In this reflective essay, the writer explores their personal experience with implicit biases after completing three Implicit Association Tests (IAT) related to race, religion, and ethnicity. The essay highlights a moderate preference for light-skinned Black individuals, a moderate preference for Arab Muslims, and a slight preference for Asian Americans—results that prompted the writer to reflect deeply on the influence of cultural colorism rooted in their Pakistani and Chinese upbringing. By connecting these insights to real-world implications in public health, the writer emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing unconscious biases in professional practice. The essay thoughtfully argues that implicit preferences can contribute to health disparities and hinder equitable care, particularly when they go unexamined. Through this reflection, the writer commits to advocating for inclusive and bias-aware practices in future public health work, especially in challenging colorism and promoting equity in community health settings.
April 7, 2025
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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Reflective Writing Assignment
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Date
Word count: 273
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Reflective Writing Assignment
Participating in the Implicit Association Test (IAT) opened my eyes to crucial
personal biases. My IAT test focused on three different factors: race (skin tone), religion
(Arab Muslims vs. other individuals), and ethnicity (Asian Americans vs. European
Americans). The crucial result involved a moderate automatic preference for light-skinned
Black individuals compared to dark-skinned Black people. Further findings showed a
moderate preference for Arab Muslims over other individuals and, lastly, a slight preference
for Asian Americans over European Americans.
One surprising result that confirmed my bias was skin tone. My background has often
been inclined toward colourism, especially through cultural experiences connected to
Pakistan and Chinese communities. Growing up, I could see relatives show clear preferences
for lighter skin, with comments like "You look dark today." This was common, especially
with uncommon admiration for celebrities with pale complexions. Most cultures associate
lighter skin with beauty and sometimes purity. While darker skin is seen as less desirable, I
did not consider such standardization of colorism as challenging at that age. Looking back
now, I can not imagine how it might have felt.
Moving forward, I believe that as a future public health professional, understanding
these implicit preferences is crucial to addressing the inherent real-world disparities in public
health. Bias, even when unconscious, is still damaging to our practice, especially while
interacting with the patient and the community as a whole. The IAT test is a reminder to me
to challenge the internalized narratives I grew up with. I want to specifically address colorism
and other biases in my mindset and professional setting, as well as to advocate for inclusive
and equitable approaches to public health.
April 7, 2025
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Academic level:
Undergraduate 3-4
Type of paper:
Reflection essay
Discipline:
Public health
Citation:
Not Applicable
Pages:
1 (275 words)
Spacing:
Double
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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