How to Overcome Status Quo Bias
Part 2 of 3: Broderick
This is part 2 in my interview with Broderick. He had so much to say about navigating this world as a black man, I decided to create a three-part series. Many people don't see anything wrong with the world today. Or perhaps they chose to ignore it. I often hear arguments to injustices I speak out about. People often argue, that other communities such as immigrants come to this country and manage to work their way out of oppression, why can't African Americans? I'd argue it's because immigrant communities came to this country out of hope; African American community came forced, sold, mistreated and put into slavery. I told Broderick I find that I find this sentiment infuriating and I asked him what his thoughts were. - JenniferIf you missed it last week, Broderick is a yogi, capoeira practitioner, and educator who is passionate about fostering human evolution towards more wholeness, love, kindness, goodness, and beauty. As a dedicated yogi, the overwhelming majority of his energy is employed in the cultivation of these qualities within himself. He feels that his daily, personal yoga practice is the means by which he is able to express his highest self in service to others. Broderick also has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. For more information visit www.broderickrodell.com
Broderick: "I think that we are all knowingly or unknowingly hide behind denial. We don’t want to disrupt our current narrative because we are afraid. It is the job of our ego to organize a set of ideas about our identity in order to stabilize us in the world. It organizes us whether good or bad. Any time something threatens this identity our mind rejects it. It is uncomfortable and we reject the uncomfortable. It is important to understand this mechanism of the human psyche. It is necessary in that it stabilizes our sense of self so that we may interact in the world. However, in order to prevent perceived pain and suffering of our precious identity, it can limit our capacity to step outside our normal set of thought patterns. Ironically we end up creating more pain and suffering for ourselves anyway. We imprison ourselves by a set of thoughts, an identity that limits our capacity to relate fully to others. This is why ego development is so important. We all need to expand our sense of self because we all have the capacity to get stuck with something that is limited and ultimately delusional."
This denial actually has a name: status quo bias. Status quo bias is the term for that reluctance for disruption in our psyche. In an abstract by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America:
"When faced with a complex decision, people tend to accept the status quo, as reflected in the old adage, 'When in doubt, do nothing." Read more here.
In this portion of the abstract they were only talking about going to a supermarket and making a decision about a product that has so many choices we can no longer make a decision so we end up leaving without purchasing anything. So when it comes to challenging the very core of the life and society that we grew up in and leading us to an unknown it is no wonder that many of us just freeze or put the blame in other places.
Broderick: "I think it is difficult for some white folks to look deeply into the Black American experience, because it requires a deep look at themselves and that is too painful. They may feel bad or sorrowful and that doesn’t feel good. I get it. It is a sickness though. People, all of us in some way are captivated by the sickness of denial, which leads to the rejection of what we are seeing right before our eyes in order to placate our ego. We live in a prison as a result. We have all been conditioned within a psychosocial environment shaped by our caretakers, family, and society. The experiences contained within these environments have shaped our thinking and the subsequent narrative that binds us. The good news is that we can transform our thinking, our narrative by educating ourselves to perceive the world differently. If we are willing, we can provide ourselves with the necessary information and training to ultimately transform our narratives and how we subsequently relate to each other. We have to be willing to change though. We have to be open to what is possible.If we successfully attempt to understand and act to transform our psychic process, I believe that we can then allow empathy, compassion and love to drive everything we do. I need to love the racist as much as I love my mother. What I mean: love is realizing a deep connection between me and the other, even if I know that their beliefs and behaviors are racist and appalling. Because, I know that there is a ‘spirit’ that connects us all. I can love a person and not agree with them. It doesn’t mean we will have the same connection as what I have with my mother. We were not born to hate and I know that we were taught and conditioned to believe that. The essence of you is the same essence of me. Take the same person and put them in a different environment. I believe they will think differently. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t have empathy and compassion and I couldn’t have said that I must love the racist as my mother. This is something that is still a work in progress for me. Some people piss me off, and I try to sit in their shoes. I may rant, but I will try to feel their suffering. And, I don’t always like it. It is painful and sad. A few years ago I couldn't have said any of this. I have learned to reject harmful acts and harmful thinking and not the soul, because I know that the perpetrator is suffering."
Sometimes all the injustices and being part of the solution feels overwhelming. I am discouraged by a system that has failed a community of people. I wonder if we have made any progress. So I asked Broderick if he thought there had been any positive change.
Broderick: "Yes, as an African American male, even with all of the current violence, things have changed. Everyone should watch Selma, the film. It takes place 51 years ago, in 1965. The segregation and the bus boycotts that took place then, no longer happen now, but it doesn't mean we have achieved full equality or equity. In our communities, we have adapted behaviors because of oppression, poverty, and rejection by society. There are still unemployment issues, discrimination because of the color of my skin, and so many of my brothers are being transported in and out of the criminal justice system. And, it hurts me, its pains me, it saddens me.Yes, there has been improvement in my personal life and in my relationships, but we haven't arrived and we still live in a racist society. We still live in a white democracy, a society where the rules of the game have been shaped primarily by white men for white men. In a relatively young nation such as our own, you have to be delusion to think that everything is equitable. For instance, in the history of this country, black folks have been subjugated to the violence and inhumane oppression of slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, discriminations, etc. far longer that we have been so called ‘free’. To think that the hearts and minds of most Americans have somehow overcome the pains of history is indicative of the sickness of denial. There is such a thing as white privilege just as there is such a thing as male privilege. Let’s keep it real, the system was designed for white men. Nonetheless, the ideal of the constitution is a beautiful foundation for what’s possible, because we can all be ultimately included. Men and women of all flavors have fought for the progress that we have seen in our society. And, we have to continue to fight for a more beautiful world that is possible. "
African American males and females are dying due to a failure of our top down protection system. We have a system set up that induces fear on both sides. When people are afraid, violence happens. I asked Broderick how he feels about that and what he thinks might be a solution.
"Be a part of the movement for change
The Black Lives Matter movement, regardless of how you relate to their means, is making a statement about inequality and injustices that need to be addressed. There is plenty to be done to heal our society and there are plenty ways to contribute if you so care or desire to do so. Here’s the thing, if you do not agree with any movement for progress, create your own or find one that resonates with you. If you care about our world, do something. One of the things I love seeing is the number of white folks who are also speaking out with or without accepting BLM. In my opinion, to deny the injustices that BLM is trying to address because you don’t like BLM or how they make you feel is again indicative of the sickness of denial. Educating ourselves is a vital piece of the puzzle. The more we know and understand the better we are able to work together to resolve the challenges that we face as a world. Also, I am a fan of the Millennials. They are our hope, as they do not seem to accept the status quo and they are letting it be known.
(As a white person, I would also say don't take the sentiment of Black Lives Matter personally. I see this a lot. It is not against you. It is just bringing to light the injustices that are happening across the nation and other nations as well. Slavery and the transportations of humans against their will was not that long ago and we are not totally free from the repercussions of those actions. Stand in solidarity and know that when Black Lives Matter - All Lives Matter. )
Here are the solutions Broderick offered:"Be accountable and Stand Up for JusticePeople, all citizens including law enforcement and the powerful, need to be held accountable for their actions. If people can’t trust that we are all equally held responsible for our actions in the world then there will never be peace. The police were designed over a century ago to keep enslaved black folks in check. People think this was 1000s of years ago and assume that the bias within the system have been purged. Really? There are some great police officers and if we are honest we all know this to be true. Also, if we are honest, there are a lot of police officers who are in it for the power. We need to react to those officers that are power hungry and not trying to keep our communities safe. How is that a problem? Good people need to become policeman. Gratefully, people are recording stuff with their phones and posting in social media. This needs to continue in order to push us to do what is just.Advocate for Police reformAdvocate for police training reform. It is a dangerous job and, though fearful of them, I am grateful for police. I am grateful for those who put their lives at risk to keep our society safe. However, I do feel like a longer and more thorough training is necessary. A training that includes competence in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and stress management techniques. Also, why can’t we use tranquilizers to de-escalate situations? Why guns? Can't we de-escalate without killing a person? People have to be trained in seeing another's humanity even though they may be exposed to some of the sickest, craziest and most vile people in society. It is a learning that needs to happen though. We have to believe that it is necessary to do so."Take part in governmentWe need to find a way to get good people to get involved in politics and become politicians. Cynicism is useless! Advocate for campaign finance reform. Advocate for getting ride of gerrymandering. Advocate for voting rights and ease in voting. Advocate for reevaluating the electoral college. Participate in local politics. Vote!Talk with folks and be sensitive their experiencesThings start with a conversation. Be sensitive. Get to know suffering communities. A lot of folks feel like black folks are crazy and all our communities are violent. People need to understand what is happening and why it is happening. We need to look at history. Yes, there is violent crime in our communities and I don’t deny that. It needs to be resolved. Investigate with an open heart and try to understand what can be done to resolve the crime and violence perpetuated in communities. People have their biases, challenge your biases, discover what they are."
How do you challenge the status quo? We would love your thoughts in the comments below.Have a story to share? Shoot me an email at Chefbarry@sanctuarybistro.com with the topic.