“All black people
like fried chicken.” “All Asian’s are great at math.” “All blondes are
stupid.” I know for a fact that I
dislike fried chicken. James, who is
part Korean, has to study tirelessly to get decent grades in his finance
classes. And a very dear friend of mine, who graduated last semester with a 4.0.,
has a head full of blonde hair. I don’t think of us as exceptions. I think of
us as people. As unique individuals.
Back when I worked in retail, I had the misfortune of
working with a lady who was borderline racist. Or clueless. I’m not really sure
which. But whenever someone who wasn’t white walked into the store, she was on
them like white on rice. Asking them that one simple question designed to urk
the heck out of anyone that it’s being directed to. “Do you need help finding
something?”
And it wasn’t just the question itself. It was the tone that she used when asking it. She used this “I know what you’re planning on doing, so I’m making sure that you know that I’m watching you” tone. She would then proceed to follow them around the store, hovering over them and pretending to rearrange things, until the customer would finally get fed up and leave.
And it wasn’t just the question itself. It was the tone that she used when asking it. She used this “I know what you’re planning on doing, so I’m making sure that you know that I’m watching you” tone. She would then proceed to follow them around the store, hovering over them and pretending to rearrange things, until the customer would finally get fed up and leave.
Then she would come back with this huge smile on her face.
As if she’d accomplished something by driving away potential business. On the rare occasion that I even bothered to
ask why she felt the need to follow them. She would always say that she had
seen them do something suspicious. Riiggghhhtt. Apparently being Black,
Hispanic or Native American is considered suspicious enough to warrant being
tailed around the store.
So why do I think stereotypes are destructive? Let’s take it
back to basic psychology. There’s this little thing called self-fulfilling
prophecies. Which is defined as, “a
previously false definition of a person or situation evoking a new behavior
which makes the original false conception become true.” Basically if you treat someone a certain way
based on stereotypes, it can sometimes inadvertently cause them to believe it
so much, that they begin to behave in that manner. Remember the Golden Rule, "treat others they way you would like to be
treated." If you don't want people stereotyping you, then why would you
do it to them?
My challenge to you is to get to know someone better. Step a bit outside your comfort zone. You may never guess just by looking at me that I enjoy going to the Charlotte Symphony, love classic black and white films and tune into NPR every time I get in the car. I wonder what else you would never guess about someone who looks a little bit different than you. Take the time to find out. You never know who you might meet in the process.
Photo creds: 1)luvimages.com 2) dontstereotypeme.blogspot.com
XOXO Reese
It is such a sad reality that we live with today. I live in the south and I see this everyday. It is just ignorance.
ReplyDeleteIt's true - we can so easily stereotype others. I live in Los Angeles, and you would think we would be more progressive, and in some ways we are, but there are ignorant people here too.
ReplyDeleteI can be that way with teenagers in general - just assuming they are shallow because they are young - but they suprise me too. Just goes to show you can't stereotype anyone, even by their age! :)
I think we all need to be reminded of this.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were little we didn't judge anyone unless they were mean and didn't share etc.
I do know the stereo types are not true. Some jokes are funny. I'm not going to lie.
But I am far from a racist. Trust me I have family who are. Drives me up the wall.
People are blind anymore and can't find the beauty in anyone.
I get really annoyed when people assume, because I am milk white, I must be a racist. So they say whatever it is they have to say, and they get all upset when I don't agree. We all bleed the same colour blood, and cry the same colour tears! We're all equal in God's eyes!
ReplyDeleteMy fiance has the same problem! People will get mad and take whatever out on him, until I walk up, then they get really confused. Last year, we'd gone to visit family and while we were there a friend of the family accused him of being racist. lol I'm pretty certain he's not considering we're engaged. I'm sorry you have to deal with such stupidity :(
Deletethanks for the comment on my blog!
ReplyDeletei would love to do a guest post. email me if there's still a spot available
~niki <3
http://youngandimmortal.blogspot.com/
Sure there's a few spots left for October. If you give me your email, I'll send you a newsletter with all the info.
Deleteyes...we talk about this around our table...it is judging and none of us can throw the first stone....
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Great post Reese. I think we all need reminders once in a while about not stereotyping. Even those of us who are conscience of not labeling people slip up every once in a while!
ReplyDeleteThis post was awesome! I hate being followed around a store. It literally drives me crazy. It's rude and offensive. However, like the comment above me said we are guilty of stereotyping every now and again.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I work with a couple of folks like the one you described and it can be a bit painful at times. I can't stand when people automatically jump to conclusions about people without any basis whatsoever!! Drives me crazy.
ReplyDeleteGreat post about a very important topic. I never understood why people continue such stereotypes. It is a great reminder to us all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with favorite thing friday.