There are many things about each of us that are invisible to others: Our politics, our religious beliefs, our sexual orientation, our educational level, our health, etc. We make assumptions about those we meet based on contextual and sensory cues. What color is her skin? How is he dressed? What kind of car does s/he drive? Does he speak with an accent? Where did we meet? What would you assume you knew about me if we met in Wal Mart? At a fundraiser for a local politician? In one of the classes I teach? At church? What do you assume about me if you see a middle-aged white woman? What if you notice the tattoo on my ankle? What if I have on a ratty t-shirt and shorts? Or a slinky black dress? You’re reading this on Daily Kos so what does that tell you about me? We all have to choose to share certain aspects of ourselves with others in order to be known. We all make decisions every minute of our lives about what information to share and who to share it with. We all weigh the consequences of letting others know us intimately. We are all vulnerable to others’ assumptions, prejudices and biases and we all make assumptions, and have prejudices and biases.
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