Article: Remember that not everyone in a group, community, or organization is the same. Whenever you find yourself making a generalization about a group of people, stop yourself. Ask yourself why you think that way and change your perspective.  Ask yourself, "is it really possible that every single member of this group is the same?" The answer is most likely "no." For example, you might find yourself thinking that a certain group of people are loud. Why do you think that? Consider that perhaps it is just an individual from that group who is loud. Change your thinking from "all people in this group are loud" to "one person from this group I met was very loud" or even "a few (but not all) people from this group are loud." Think of a bias that you have, and the stereotype that causes that bias. Then, imagine the opposite image of that stereotype. For instance:  If you have a bias toward considering African Americans more athletic than intellectual, make a point to think of real or imagined individuals who challenge that stereotype. For example, you might imagine your influential African American chemistry teacher, or a public intellectual like Cornell West. By learning more about a person, lifestyle, or topic that you disagree with or that you have noticed yourself exhibiting bias towards, you can begin to build compassion.  For example, if you find yourself feeling disgusted by people who are obese, then research some of the causes of obesity to build your understanding of how people get that way. If you find yourself frustrated every time you see a post about gun ownership, then research the issues that gun owners care about, such as by visiting the NRA’s website. Also known as “perspective taking,” this technique is a great way to lessen the impact of judgments you might make automatically. For instance, if you feel biased in thinking that people with kids are no fun:  Take a moment to imagine the busy schedules and demands of parents. Ask yourself if their idea of fun might simply be different from your own. Watching Harry Potter with a bowl of popcorn might seem boring to you, but it might be lots of fun with kids around. Whether they’re positive or negative, gut feelings can sometimes lead us astray. When you feel the impact of a bias, challenge these gut feelings by looking at concrete factors.  For instance, if you find yourself walking quickly past someone of another group, ask yourself: is there anything that person is actually doing to make me feel threatened? Keep in mind how your biases impact how you view situations, however. For instance, a smile from someone belonging to a group you are more accepting of might seem fine. Your biases might make a smile from someone of another group seem threatening. Consciously adopting more positive thoughts can be a very good way to combat negative biases. For instance, you might imagine that you have a bias that makes you feel uncomfortable with men taking care of small children. Whenever you see a man in a positive caregiving role, make a point of consciously noting this.

What is a summary?
Learn to recognize and avoid generalizations. Counter stereotypes with positive images. Expose yourself to the people and things that make you feel uncomfortable. Put yourself in others’ shoes. Focus on concrete factors rather than gut feelings. Think positive thoughts around people you have stigmatized.