The process of unlearning
Due to the culture and society within which we operate, stereotypes, stigma, racism and prejudice have become normalized. Unlearning is the process of discarding something that we learned earlier through societal norms and even through the education system. Unlearning requires you to be self-aware about your thoughts, beliefs, habits and actions that reinforce racism, prejudice or discrimination.
How do you unlearn something? Begin by questioning your daily practices and responses, and where you receive knowledge. Ask yourself whether any of these seem contradictory to equity, diversity and inclusion.
For example, consider how you have been socialized and taught to recognize and value only the opinions of those with particular credentials, degrees and roles when it comes to health. As a result, we often fail to see the expertise within racialized communities and reproduce the harms of top-down systems that reinforce power imbalances. The process of unlearning requires reframing racialized communities as the experts, particularly when it comes to conversations and decisions about their health (Black Health Alliance, 2020).