There are several takeaways from “The Air We Breather: Implicit Bias And Police Shootings” podcast and  “Want a More Just World? Be an Unlikely Ally” TED talk. Both surround the idea of bias, whether it be racial bias, gender bias, sexual bias, or political bias. The podcast outlines how racial bias had ended the lives of several black people at the hands of police officers. Specifically, they cover the murder of Terence Crutcher by an officer named Betty Shelby. Supposedly Officer Shelby shot him because he was a rather stocky individual and looked suspicious when he reached down for his pockets. This podcast also brings up a study regarding racial bias which says that places with higher rates of implicit bias in the community are more likely to experience racially-fueled police shootings. In the TED Talk by Dwinita Mosby Tyler, she talks about her experiences as an African American girl wanting to do ballet but being rejected by dance schools because of her skin color. She brings up a fascinating point about how justice can only be brought to the surface with the correct allies. Tyler references a white teacher she had named Miss Ann who decided to teach academics and ballet in a black community. Miss Ann saw the injustice being placed upon these black children and used her privilege to fight against it. That is what Tyler means when she says to make the ‘unlikely allies.’

While I was aware of the ideas presented by the podcast and TED Talk before viewing them, I found my perspective deepening with understanding. I also have found myself wanting to gather to courage to do more, but lacking the incentive. I see the bias spoken in the podcast all around me, even in my family. Although I can do little to help the whole picture, I do try to help remove the skewed views of older generations who are still stuck in older traditions and ideas.