MavREAD Discusses Hidden Biases

Faculty and staff will have the chance to share their thoughts and dive deep into the issue of hidden biases in this year's MavREAD. The event starting Sept. 23, is co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and UTA Libraries.  

MavREAD participants will read the book "Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People" by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald during the 2022-2023 academic year in several discussion groups. "Blind Spot" discusses people's hidden biases regarding factors like nationality, age, gender, ethnicity, and religion when it comes to making important decisions and their lasting effects. 

Monique Franklin, DEI Coordinator, stated that MavREAD provides people the chance to come together and share their insight on a critical issue. 

"Last year, the program launched with the book "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together" by Heather McGhee. We had 325 faculty and staff members participate in the program. The acronym for MavREAD is Respect through Education, Awareness and Dialog," Monique said. "It's just one of the programs that DEI launched when the office officially came together to allow faculty and staff to learn from one another and everything the author presents." 

Monique stated that last year's MavREAD event sparked many healthy and inclusive conversations with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Last year's topic of discussion was racism. She hopes that this year's topic, hidden biases, will do the same to create an open dialogue. MavREAD will give participants the tools to combat the biases that they have in their life. 

The MavREAD event launches at Noon on Sept. 23 on the sixth-floor atrium of the Central Library.  

Each month several chapters of "Blind Spot" will be discussed in the parlor on the sixth floor. The facilitator leading the discussion each month will break down the chapter. During these discussions, participants can share their thoughts about what they have read and their own experiences. 

Shunda Dixon, DEI administrative assistant, shared Monique's thoughts about the program. 

"I think this (event) gives the participants an opportunity in a safe place to ask questions that normally they would not ask or have discussions about things that are sensitive topics or subjects to some people, and they are free to discuss those openly," Shunda said. "I saw a lot of that last year where people felt comfortable enough to share their own stories, right, wrong or indifferent. I think that it opens up the hard conversation." 

People interested in participating in MavREAD can register at the help desk on the Central Library's first floor, where they can pick up the book. They can go online to register as well at https://bit.ly/3KjGNFk. There is no cost to participate or for the book. 

To sign up for DEI events or reserve a book, please visit the DEI Training website at https://webapp.uta.edu/dei-training.