My mommy don’t play therefore I DON’T PLAY TOO!

It's true, sometimes I feel like I'm walking into a situation where people are already pre-judging me. Just like the time some teachers and ASL interpreters at my job felt that I attacked them. It wasn't an attack at all; it was just my direct communication style, a trait I proudly inherited from my mommy. But it really got me thinking: how much do our own biases, conscious or unconscious, influence how we perceive others, especially when we're in a role that involves caring for or guiding them? When I heard that query about whether managing biases influences the type of caregiver you are, it resonated deeply with my experience. While I'm not explicitly a 'caregiver' in the traditional sense, my interactions with colleagues, especially those who facilitate communication like ASL interpreters, feel like a form of professional caregiving. Their ability to accurately interpret not just my words, but my *intent*, is crucial. If their biases about a 'strong black Deaf woman' lead them to misinterpret my directness as aggression, it affects everyone involved. It hinders effective communication and creates an uncomfortable environment. My mommy, she’s always been a force to be reckoned with – a big beast with gold drill teeth, unafraid to speak her mind. I like to think I’m a little beast with white teeth and dimples, carrying on that legacy of strength and honesty. This upbringing taught me to be assertive, to advocate for myself and my community. But I’ve learned that not everyone is ready for that. Sometimes, people's biases against what they perceive as 'too strong' or 'too direct' can surface, especially when it comes from a woman, and even more so a Black Deaf woman. It’s a powerful lesson in empathy and self-reflection. For anyone in a caregiving role – be it a parent, a teacher, a healthcare provider, or even an interpreter – understanding and actively managing personal biases isn't just a good idea; it's essential for providing truly unbiased, effective support. If you believe 'true or false the way you manage your own biases influences the type of caregiver you are,' I’d wholeheartedly say 'true.' Our biases act like filters, coloring our perceptions and, consequently, our responses. I've come to realize that the 'attacked them' feeling from my colleagues probably stemmed from their own unconscious biases about how a woman, particularly a Black Deaf woman, 'should' behave or communicate. It's not about me changing who I am, but about them doing the internal work to recognize and challenge those preconceived notions. My experience has taught me the immense value of cultural competence and bias awareness. It's about creating an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or communication style, can feel understood and respected. After all, isn't that what true caregiving, in its broadest sense, should be about?