Racism and Unconscious Bias - Don’t Put Me In A Box | Emer O'Neill | TEDxWexford

Emer O'Neill discusses her experience with unconscious bias and the assumptions people make based on her name and appearance. She has Sickle Cell trait, a condition more common in individuals of African descent, which was a surprise to her and others due to her Irish background. A doctor's dismissive attitude towards testing her for Sickle Cell because of her Irish name highlights the issue of profiling and categorizing people. Emer emphasizes the universality of unconscious bias and the need to challenge these preconceived notions.

Emer shares her friend's story of changing her name to appear more Irish to improve her job prospects, illustrating the real-world impact of unconscious bias on opportunities. She advocates for blind screening in the workplace to reduce discrimination. Emer proudly identifies as both Irish and Nigerian, challenging the assumption that Irishness is tied to whiteness. She discusses the importance of identity and the hurtful experience of having her Irish identity questioned or denied.

Emer recounts her journey of embracing her dual Irish and Nigerian heritage. She talks about the stereotypes she faced growing up and how they influenced her to hide her Nigerian roots. Now, she actively works to challenge these stereotypes, both as a teacher and an activist. She emphasizes the importance of representation in media and institutions, and the need to educate oneself to be an effective ally against racism.

Emer shares personal anecdotes of racism her family has faced, including an incident where her son was questioned about his skin color. She discusses the importance of talking about racism with children and the need for early education on diversity. Emer calls for individuals to use their voices to advocate for change and to support those who are experiencing racism.

Emer, a teacher of 13 years, discusses the importance of having an anti-racism policy in educational institutions. She shares her experience of co-authoring an anti-racism policy for schools and the necessity of such policies in fostering understanding and providing guidelines for dealing with racism. She stresses the role of individuals in advocating for these policies and the importance of living the values taught in anti-racism workshops.

Emer emphasizes the power of representation and allyship in combating racism. She talks about her children, one with white appearance and one with black, and how they will likely experience life differently due to societal biases. She encourages the audience to use their influence, whether through social media or everyday actions, to support minority groups and to create an inclusive society.

In her concluding remarks, Emer expresses hope for a future where racism is a thing of the past, laughable in its absurdity. She thanks the audience for listening and implores them to take action, no matter how small, to contribute to this change. She acknowledges the support she has received from the people of Ireland and calls for continued collective effort to eradicate racism.