Our Hidden Biases

Adult biases can have lifelong implications for children. This video was developed by Project ABC, an Early Childhood System of Care Community, to spark dialogue among child-serving professionals. Even on our best days we may not be mindful of our thought processes and biases. And the decisions we make can have negative effects on our work and those we serve.

Produced by Picture Alternatives, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, in partnership with Project ABC.

Directed by Jill Aske
Written and produced by Jill Aske and DJ Johnson
Executive producer Holly Bridges

Cast:
Carrington Rainey (teen boy)
Maureen Callahan (social worker/teacher)
Nicole Watts (mother)
Chima Rok (father)
John A. Pomroy (doctor)
Jaden Moore (eight-year-old boy)
Ca'ron Coleman (preschool boy)
Mikel Dawkins (two-year old boy)
Amanda and Farrah Chism (mom and toddler in park)
Wyatt Seitz (preschool boy)
Xavier McCrackin and Adisah Grimes (skateboarders)

Casting by Ivette Davila

Production design, Jonathan Miertschin
Director of photography, Adriane Serrato
Sound, Sandra Perez
Sound design, Gentry Smith
Music, James Grisom

Special thanks to Roy Riyad Ghrer and Touni Abdul Nour of Town & Country Liquor, Altadena, CA

[throughthevalleytherapy]

Using this video for my presentation as I speak on Cultivating Cultural Competence: Supporting BIPOC Clients. This was profound. Thank you for creating this short powerful video.

[victorjackson]

Well done. I attended an all black school and endured this sort of treatment all the time. It was so painful to watch. I hope everyone seems themselves on both sides of this.

[MarmeladovYa]

I grew up thinking that whatever life throws at me is the direct result of others not liking me for who/what I am. But I was wrong. I was using it as an excuse to justify my unwillingness to succeed. It took many years and a lot of punches from above before I figured it out and looked at myself with open mind.

[thatsmywifelife]

This short film is powerful, it brought tears to my eyes. The two different perceptions of reality based on past experiences of biases as an African American child in contrast to a counselor is well done!!

[kamilahcummings]

I had to view this video as part of mandated reporter training for my employer. Given the intent, I hope the creators explore their own implicit bias in casting white people in the two authority roles as the doctor and therapist. The optics are problematic. Additionally, the decision to have the black kid use vernacular language to help convey the message of the video was also questionable.

[michellechaney]

“I’m so sorry” is an attempt to be forgiven for an unforgivable act. Especially asking for forgiveness from a child. Instead the adult create space to listen to the hurt experienced by this child. Then this would be a good clip to demonstrate what we need to do, which is to listen to the narrative that has been long denied.

[audreybenner]

It is very heart breaking to see how people group other people into certain groups without getting to know the person. As educators we have to look at each individual child as the individual that they are. We have to strive to create the best environment and learning expectations for all of our children regardless of skin color, race, etc.

[katrinacouch]

Thank you for such a powerful presentation. I am creating my Doctoral dissertation right now on Culturally Responsive Teaching and must put together a PowerPoint presentation from my findings. I will be citing and using this new story as a link in the presentation. Thank you!

[kiyab]

It just seems like sometimes black peoples are not allowed to make mistakes. When we do people jump to conclusions and be racist

[Lady_NymeriaX]

the reality and truth in this .. brought me to tears; just like the kids i work with... they don't get a childhood like all other kids do. Black children have to grow up, so fast.... my heart shatters. we must do something, we must make this ri ght -

[NoName-pjfl]

my teacher sent me this she is now my favorite teacher

[mtjohnson]

Wow! Did that bring back some painful memories.

[tonyahandy]

If only people would would recognize their biases as easily as the counselor/social worker did. That would be asking too much of reality though....

[mangaoang]

These little careless actions scar children for life and we wonder why the world is becoming worse.

[elyseconnolly]

Hey this was filmed in Altadena, my neighborhood. Nice to see a familiar place during my research. Thanks.

[pearljantjies]

Thanks. Such valuable resources. Yes i see myself in these stories

[nancykornbluth]

Sad. A helpless child and essentially a helpless adult who doesn't really see him.

[CherylBindus]

I would like the discussion guide for my classroom. I can't seem to locate it. Could you link it here?

[dolorescrowder]

Thank you working on my Master's Degree this was helpful.

[killocranik]

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