The Beans

Diversity Beans are a concept that uses jelly beans as a tool to educate people about unconscious bias and promote diversity and inclusion. They are created with six different colors and ten flavors in order to challenge our assumptions and biases associated with appearance.

The idea behind Diversity Beans is to present a situation where the visual cues, such as the color of the jelly bean, cannot be relied upon to determine its flavor. By having multiple flavors associated with each color, Diversity Beans disrupt our natural tendency to make quick judgments based on visual appearances.

The six different colors of the jelly beans can serve as a visual representation of diversity, symbolizing the various backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities that exist within a diverse population. The ten flavors can represent the diverse range of human experiences and perspectives.

When presented with Diversity Beans, individuals are encouraged to select and taste jelly beans without assuming their flavors based solely on their color. This exercise challenges people to question their preconceived notions and biases, as they are likely to find that their assumptions based on appearance are often incorrect.

By engaging in this activity, participants can gain a firsthand experience of how unconscious bias operates in their everyday lives. It highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing unconscious bias, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.

Diversity Beans serve as a powerful metaphor for understanding and challenging our biases. They remind us that making assumptions based on appearances can lead to incorrect judgments and reinforce stereotypes. By encouraging individuals to look beyond the surface and embrace diversity, Diversity Beans foster awareness and open dialogue about unconscious bias, helping to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all.