49 pages 1 hour read

The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2018

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Essay Topics

1.

Discuss forgoing the good/bad dichotomy in favor of a “good-ish” or work-in-progress mindset. How does the shift affect a person’s ability to do anti-racism work?

2.

How are unconscious biases reflected in the behavior of the people Dolly Chugh highlights in her book? Identify two additional examples in American culture, and discuss the ways in which they could be addressed.

3.

What does it mean to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”? Why is this narrative often harmful to marginalized groups? Cite an example from the book and/or from the real world to support your argument.

4.

What are the unique challenges of combatting unconscious biases in the social media landscape? Discuss some specific actions that can be taken to address these challenges.

5.

Discuss the invisible or hidden nature of ordinary privilege. How can it be made visible to the person who holds it? What are the effects of rendering invisible privilege visible? Use examples from the text or real life to support your response.

6.

What is the difference between diversity and inclusion? Why are both values critical to fostering a more just society for marginalized people? Why must people facing both headwinds and tailwinds be included in this work?

7.

Discuss the four modes of behavior that promote otherizing and develop practical strategies to combat them.

8.

How can forging bonds with diverse people foster understanding? Why is listening central to inclusivity?

9.

How does Chugh structure her overall argument to craft her narrative? What rhetorical strategies and techniques does she employ, and why does she make these choices? For example, what role does tone play in communicating her ideas to the reader?

10.

Discuss Chugh’s use of anecdote and metaphor as rhetorical tools. How do they function to make her argument more effective? Select one example of each and analyze its use, purpose, and significance in the text.

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