Hidden Bias

My test results show that I have a strong automatic preference for European Americans over African Americans. I am very surprised by these results because I did not think I was biased. I interact with many African Americans and I have never felt any different around them than with others. I do not feel like I discriminate against any group of people. I always try to be equal with everyone I interact with and make sure they receive the same treatment from me.  I wonder if the test creators accounted for attention problems of the people taking test, because it is timed and distractions take up time that one would need for the test. With this in mind I wonder how accurate the results could be. I think that everybody has some sort of hidden bias. Even if they actively try to hide it, they actually make it stand out more. After reading the rest of the page, I am no longer surprised by the results. I agree that I do have hidden beliefs based on stereotypes that I have heard and come across some instances that would support the claims. I think that stereotypes are sometimes true, but not because of a person’s race. I think that stereotypes reflect the culture more than how a specific person is wired. However, there are many people who do not fit into any stereotypes.

Free Reading Post 5

Crawford gets injured in combat and he is sent home. He reflects back on his experience and his only feelings are regret and anger. He is mad at the government because of the conditions that he had to live in, he disagrees with the war, and he is mad at the higher ranking officials because that did not care about the men fighting for them. I have spoken with veterans of the Iraq war and they have all had similar responses. Most of them said they did not support America being there in the first place. I understand that war is a terrible thing, but I do not think it is good for our soldiers to come home regretting the experience and angry at the country that they fight for. I think our country needs to do more for our troops than just say “I support the troops”. They are over there fighting constantly and enduring awful living conditions so we can be free and we take it for granted. I think that if we show them more support they will feel better about being there.

Free Reading Post 4

Crawford writes about his squads activities during the Fourth of July. The day before he and a few others went to the medic tent. They lied to the medics and each of them was injected with morphine. They were still under the influence when the medics let them leave the tent. They could barely make it back to their barracks. After they returned they slept for the remainder of the day. I do not find it surprising that they were able to obtain the medicine so easily, but I do believe that the medics should have been more careful about who they give it to. The soldiers who abuse the medicine they have put everyone around them at risk. On the fourth, the soldiers went out on patrol and stole beer from civilian partygoers. They snuck it back into their bunks and they drank all of it. The squad was unable to do their basic chores let alone be effective in combat. I know that alcohol is hard to find while one is serving, and many soldiers are tempted to drink. I think this shows a lack of discipline among our armed forces. These men are supposed to be protecting us back home. How can they do that if they are all drunk?

Free Reading Post 3

Crawford writes about his sleeping conditions during the early summer months. There would be 9 men to a small apartment without power. At night it would be so hot that they would all sleep naked with bottles of water next to their heads for them to drink during the night so they don’t die from dehydration. He says that puddles of sweat would spread several feet from their bodies. I find this to be awful. How can we do this to the men who are supposed to be fighting to save us? I think they should be treated like heroes. They shouldn’t have to sleep like that, nine to a room, and fighting dehydration. I understand that war is tough and the men who fight have to be even tougher. I understand that circumstances may not allow the soldiers to have the best possible lives while in country, but I feel like while they are on base, they should at least get a little love. I hope that our soldiers are receiving better treatment from the people they have sworn to protect.

Free Reading Post 2

John Crawford enlisted in the Florida National Guard before the war in Iraq. He thought it would be like the reserves, mostly training and sitting around. John was on his honeymoon in 2002 when he learned that his unit was being deployed to Iraq. He was forced to terminate his honeymoon early and return to Florida for immediate deployment. John lands in country the day of the Invasion of Iraq. I think it is unfortunate that he was forced to end his honeymoon and leave his wife behind to go and fight in Iraq, but I feel that he should have been ready for anything when he signed the contract with the FNG. When I read that I learned that the National Guard is not only a domestic branch of the military. I have been considering signing with the National Guard to help keep the peace in the country and provide assistance for those who are in need. But upon reading this I have second thoughts about deciding to serve. I have no interest in foreign wars, I want to serve in the military, but help in America.