The tests were a little anxiety inducing because I felt like my brain was having trouble keeping up with which keys to stroke based on the tests. I could also feel any bias that has been built inside me over my life span coming out. It was very uncomfortable to see that I do exhibit biases/preferences toward races or skin tones. I feel that many of us like to imagine we are not racist or exhibit racial preferences, but it is in fact common for many people to behave in this way. I think these tests though have given me insight to be more cognoscente of my views and thoughts about specific groups of people as they come into my head. The first step to making society less racist institutionally is to increase our individual awareness of our actions and thoughts.
I took the IAT for race some time ago, when I had few Black people in my life- usually chance encounter or acquaintance level at work, rather than close. I had a moderate preference for white over Black, and was STILL surprise- because i consider myself liberal, equity minded etc. I had zero doubt about the results though, because i could FEEL how automatic the good/white task was compared to the bad/Black task- when they start mixing categories. I took, all the tests here and am a little more skeptical of a now slight preference of Black to white- skeptical only because I'm scared my learning and advocacy will be "temporary." I want to deepen my life and go the distance. I think this anxiety shows in the Skin tone IAT, where the bias is still "moderate." As much as Black people don't owe me (a middle aged white woman) companionship or newly forming friendships, I'm so thankful there are Black people who let me in to their lives. It's so true you can't be "equitable" from 9-5 at your job.