On Tuesday at 6 p.m., the Pocatello Branch of the NAACP and 2Great4Hate will begin a series of discussions focusing on the understanding of bias, stereotypes and racism in our Community. Each discussion will take place at the Pocatello Senior Activity Center, 427 N. Sixth Ave., and will last no longer than one and and half hours.

This series will include the communities of Arimo, Chubbuck, Downey, Inkom, Lava Hot Springs, McCammon, Pocatello, Fort Hall, Tyhee, Swanlake, Virginia and Robin. People from those communities will be invited to this first gathering so that after a broad discussion of the topic, attendees can decide whether they want to continue in each area or continue to come here. We will also make decisions as to what direction the Conversation will take at the next (and future) meetings. For our first meeting, more information can be found by calling 208-478-2150 or emailing pocatellonaacp@live.com.

Bias, stereotypes and racism are complicated issues, often the result of inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretations, decision making, motivation, ignoring of relevant information, personally held views, success or failure, a narrow approach, fear, suspicion, partiality and partisanship, to name a few. None of these attitudes are new; for example, the issue of bias was generated from as far back as 1628 so we can all be sure it is not a recent problem (stated in the English Oxford Dictionary).

Our intension is not to change everyone’s thought processes. Rather, it is to discuss and consider how various perspectives can be addressed in order to further our kindly and attractive community’s abilities for making decisions without bias. Also, our aim is to encourage understanding of the situations and issues which can be affected by negative perspectives about racial differences, older individuals, students from other countries, professions and social differences.

The consequences of Bias, Stereotypes and Racism can cause us to see ideas, laws, human capacities, information, judgment, interpretations (and again the list goes on), that can interfere with this town being a wonderful, congenial, and productive place which brings pride, progress and positive attitudes to all who live, work and/or attend our University.

These conversations will provide for discussion, evaluation and practice of methods we can all consider as means for addressing positive ways of interacting. Initially, we will address the depth and breadth of the given topics which will then continue by addressing each issue as preferred by audience members.

As we talked about the conversation, I was reminded of a quote from M.L. King, in which he said, “The time is always right to do what is right,” which seems to be a perfect entry into this conversation. Those who discussed this project with me had more practical things to say.

Jim Robinson added, “We will focus on our schools and then continue the conversations based on the other concerns addressed during our first event."

Virga Arambarri continued, with her thoughts about the aims of the conversation, “I feel that if we want to do this, we must all focus on changing our views of other people because apologies do not necessarily make everything OK.”

Ken Monroe, third member of those who presented this issue as a topic, said, “We want our community to start this conversation. Besides, everyone wants to see themselves as a good person and this event will serve as the beginning of a discussion that will be valuable to all.”

Kay Merriam of Pocatello has a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. She was the president of the state League of Women Voters for two years and president of the Pocatello chapter for two years as well. She was the president of the Bannock County Planning and Zoning Committee for 11 years and on the Pocatello-Chubbuck District 25 School Board for six years.