Respect Is Only Human A Response To Disrespect And Implicit Bias ~ Book Review
Understanding and Overcoming Bias Through Empathy and Respect
Respect and Implicit Bias ~ My Early Lessons
My father taught me my first lesson in respect. He shared how, as a youth walking the streets of Panama City, Panama, he came upon a down-and-out-looking older man sitting on the sidewalk.
As he attempted to walk past him like he was invisible, the man scolded him for not saying, “Good Morning.” I learned that regardless of a person’s status, they deserve acknowledgment. After all, respect is only human.
Respect is one of the themes addressed in the author’s Israelin Shockness book Respect is Only Human: A Response to Disrespect and Implicit Bias. Israelin states respect is what makes us human. It’s this value that separates humans from animals.
Fast-forward decades. I’m working in Silicon Valley and was asked to represent my company at a local job fair. Another co-worker and I were tabbed to work the afternoon shift. I arrived for my shift, dressed professionally in a two-piece business suit.
My white co-worker was wearing an untucked flannel shirt and blue jeans. We took our place at our company’s table and began speaking with candidates. In a short time, I noticed the line in front of my co-worker was nearly four times as long as the path in front of me, and it stayed that way almost our entire shift.
Additionally, most people in our lines were of either Asian or Indian descent. I was struck by how, despite my appearance, people perceived my white co-worker as the person to speak with regarding job opportunities.
Although my observation was disturbing, I didn’t know it had a name – implicit bias – until after reading Respect is Only Human. Implicit bias is attitudes or stereotypes that unconsciously affect our understanding, actions, and decisions.
The Book
The book addresses two subjects, respect, and implicit bias, in a way desperately needed in our current racial atmosphere. The author’s coverage of these subjects is comprehensive but straightforward and understandable.
The book is a fast read at 162 pages long with an additional 28 pages of extensive references for readers desiring a deeper dive into the topics.
Here is just a tiny sample covered in the book:
- Respect for Self and Others
- Respect for Our Parents and Elders
- Earning the Respect of Others
- Respect for Loyalty, Other People’s Intelligence and Fair Play, and Honesty
- Implicit Bias and the Very Basis of Showing Respect for Others
- Confronting Implicit Race Bias, Gender Bias, and Sexual Orientation Bias
- Respect for all Cultures and their Knowledge
Also included are topics I wasn’t expecting, like
- Respect for Our Bodies – the Challenge of Drugs
- Respect for Our Mental Health
- Showing Respect for Something Greater than We Are
- Respect for God and Different Faiths
- What has Respect to do with COVID-19?
Isrealin doesn’t just drop the problem in our lap and leave it up to the reader to solve. She provides readers with strategies and methods from recognized experts for positively confronting respect and implicit bias issues.
In the selected chapters, she challenges the reader with questions perfect for serious introspection and conversation with young people. Some of the questions are:
- Do you stick to your principles even if people disagree with them?
- When you make a mistake, do you admit to it?
- Do you think you’re better than others because of who you are?
Who’s It For
This book is part of the author’s Successful Youth Living series. It is dedicated to young people who aspire to make respect an essential part of their lives.
I found this book to be an excellent resource for a parent, friend, or older adult who wants to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. At the end of selected chapters, the author provides readers with questions appropriate for introspection and mentoring/coaching relationships.
While the book targets youth, I found it comprehensive yet easy to understand. The content is excellent for anyone desiring to increase their knowledge of respect and implicit bias.
The Author
Israelin Shockness, Ph. D., is an educator with over 25 years of experience teaching children to university students and over 15 years of experience as a columnist for a weekly publication.
She spoke with many young people, parents, and various community members in these roles. Israelin also volunteered for several non-profit organizations dealing with children, youth, parents, and the marginalized. Her education and experience have equipped her to write this book.
My Recommendation
It doesn’t seem enough to say I heartily endorse you getting this book. This isn’t a book you read and put back in your library.
In our culture, this book demands you take action through weighty introspection or by discussing the book with the young people within your sphere of influence.
If you want to make a difference in ending racism and implicit bias, this book needs to be one of the tools in your arsenal. 
