Most IAT articles propose no practical interventions, because psychologists don’t have the resources to change institutions like the legal system, so suggestions for public policy at the end of papers are almost useless. Likewise, whites will never be motivated in mass to work at changing automatic attitudes over which they have no control. What can be useful is conveying to blacks how such attitudes can be partially overcome.

Even in limited interactions, blacks can take steps to reduce the initial negative reactions of whites. They can even slingshot themselves from making a bad impression to making an extremely positive first impression. Why do you think Hootie and the Blowfish went platinum with such plain soft rock, or the president was elected after an unremarkable legislative career and vague promises for change? They both subtly disassociated from mainstream African American culture, and wound up being held to quite low standards.

Here are some initial suggested interventions for blacks who fret they might be subjected to implicit bias: dress in a non-threatening manner; do not convey a strong swagger or attitude; try to use correct grammar; try to speak with a white accent; show reflection has gone into your words, rather than mindless improvisation. Some encouraging research has even shown going by a name that isn’t distinctively black can increase job application response rates, which is pretty useful knowledge for black job hunters.

The optimistic lesson is that blacks have substantial control over the automatic reactions they induce, through how they present themselves.

So get cracking situationists, and redirect research to examine how black behavioral changes can reduce hidden bias. This is the only realistic way to empower blacks against it.