Day 130 (A Hundred & Thirty) of 365 days

Stereotypes are a part of our everyday life. We hear stereotypes every day and everywhere. Sometimes we can find ourselves in a situation where we make stereotypes for a large group of people. Every person, young or old, is labeled with either positive or negative stereotypes. Stereotyping is a way that people group each other. Each group is called by name, which doesn’t fit everyone in that specific group. Stereotypes affect people’s social lives, emotions, and how people interact with their environment.

There are times that you are not so open to the idea of meeting new people, and making new friends. You don’t want to go outside, because we have put our own set of rules in this world. We know that we get criticized about what we wear every single day! We are criticized for which music we listen to, how we look like, how we act, and who we hang out with. We are also criticized for every other personal trait and imperfection we have. We have put the bar way up high, maybe too high for our potentials.

Changing stereotypes is largely the job of individuals. Each of us should examine the assumptions that we make about others and ask ourselves where those assumptions come from. Upon what information are they based? Are they based on personal experiences with others? In what context? Might “the other” be different in different situations? Are your assumptions based on things you have heard from others? Learned from the TV or movies? Learned in school? Is it possible that some of your negative images are wrong — at least for some people?

In most cases, the answer to that last question is likely to be “yes.” Even in the most escalated conflicts, not all of the “enemy” is as vicious and immutable as they are often assumed to be. Most groups have moderates and extremists, people who are willing to listen and work with the other side, and those who are not. Rather than assuming all of “the enemy” are evil and unwilling to hear your concerns, try to get to know people as individuals. Just as that will reduce the stereotypes you hold of others, it is also likely to reduce the stereotypes others hold of you.

I hate stereotypes. I dislike the fact that people think I should act one way because of my sex, personality, or nationality. I hate that people think I should like doing some things because I am a lady. I hate that people think I should be on a particular path because of my personality. I hate all of this because people are creating a concept of me based on what they see, but not on who I am.

In conclusion, stereotypes are harmful in our society, they prevent individuals from attempting great feats. We have seen that stereotypes affect academic performance, mental instability, and affect one’s ability to receive a job. Stereotypes become more than just insults or even comments. They become how an individual thinks acts and overall functions as a human. We are forced to answer these questions on how and why this happens. There is no answer apart from fear and stereotypes are a form of rationalizing that fear.