Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Race - Are You a Racist?

The Implicit Association Test, run by Harvard, is an online test that monitors the speed of your reactions, which somehow determines whether or not you are actually a racist. The way it works is: It tests your speed at associating words with both a positive and negative connotation to white and black faces. A micro-second delay in putting a positive word to one racial group indicates a subconscious or conscious reluctance.

Personally, I have to disagree with the methodology, as one's reactions can improve upon becoming accustomed to the task over the duration of the test. In my case, the Negative-Words-Associated-With-Blacks part was at the beginning, while I was still trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing. So, I was tested as "moderately racist." Unbelievable. I happen to have lots of Jewish friends and have banged more black chicks than I can count. Pffft.

Still, it is put out by Harvard, so it must be accurate. Right? Whether you agree with it or not, it's an interesting test to try.

3 comments:

Professor Zero said...

I actually took the whole set of tests, curious to see what would happen. I found that I got better and better at doing them 'right' as I went on. It's a coordination thing. Motor skills.

Also, I was 'racist' in that I tended to think of Asians and Native Americans as non-U.S. I spend a lot of time in Latin America and I tend to think this is why, not because I actually believe they are lesser citizens.

Finally, I came out preferring Judaism to all other religions. I was very surprised by this because I am very tired of all three of the Book religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and I wish they would all just ... shut up for a while.

However, in the test, I found I did not like the picture of the Buddha.
I thought he was scowling. I found myself hitting "evil" every time I saw the Buddha - and this is not how I feel about Buddhism.

lsaspacey said...

As one of those "black chicks" I can confirm that Matt is not racist.

Matt Elmore said...

And what a grand time it was. Lisa! I'm glad you found me.

Isn't it great talking about who you banged in a public forum? I still have the photos and videos; maybe we should give the world a real show!

Not that anybody still reads this blog. I had a good start, then got sidetracked. I miss it though. When things calm down a bit, I'm hoping to get back and write with a little more freedom of voice.

I checked out your blog. Very nice. Still the fashion maven, ey?

If you haven't been yet, I'm dedicating most of my internet presence to my personal web page. Come check me out:

www.mattelmore.org

Let's chat soon. Matt