HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Whether we realize it or not, our minds are constantly making decisions and judgments on what takes place in our day-to-day-lives. Some can be positive, but others can be considered biased. Huntsville is welcoming a Smithsonian exhibition at the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology; “The Bias Inside Us” is a traveling exhibition that explores the social science and psychology of implicit bias, the impact of this bias, and what people can do about it.
It is the exhibit's first time in Alabama and is hosted by the City of Huntsville's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
When we talk about bias, we're describing a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, a person, or a group, in a way considered to be unfair. While bias is often associated with subjects like age, race, and gender, it can also be applied to other demographic groups - tall or short people, overweight and underweight people, certain types of names, and much more.
"This exhibit actually talks about the way that our brains process information and the shortcuts we take," explained HudsonAlpha President Neil Lamb. "A whole set of things that our brains often make decisions about without us being aware of it.
Interactive elements throughout the exhibit reveal how bias shows up in the world - with causes such as personal experiences, societal stereotypes, and cultural context - and how bias influences systems and policies that have consequences for many people and communities.
"Bias is both positive and negative, and I think it's important for us to look at ideas and make sure we don't jump to conclusions," said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. "[When] we don't jump to conclusions, we understand people. We walk a mile in their shoes.
"It's a great way to look at issues and look at people and say 'How can we make a better community?" Battle added.
The ultimate goal of the exhibit is to show people that these biases do not have to rule our daily lives - we can retrain our brains to view everyone without bias.
"That is one of the stated goals of the Smithsonian," said Lamb. "There are a lot of different perspectives and opinions, and I think it's valuable to engage in that conversation."
"The Bias Inside Us" is free and open to the public from April 24 through May 20.
For more information, visit HudsonAlpha's website.
A schedule for self-guided tours is available below.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.