Spring Break
Stereotypes hinder diversity
By: Aditi Dubey
Issue date: 8/10/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:38 AM EST
Last update: 8/10/07 at 3:38 AM EST
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:38 AM EST
Last update: 8/10/07 at 3:38 AM EST
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Sean Jin's commentary on racism ("A new breed of racism," July 27, 2007) made me think about the stereotypes that perpetuate in and permeate our society.
Often, stereotypes are responsible for giving birth to things like racism, classism, sexism and homophobia. Same old stuff. We all know it exists, and that it's true and yet, paradoxically, it persists - very much like pollution. It is there, and we know that; whether we do anything about it is another story.
Things have come a long way since the civil rights movement and today, if things like racism and sexism exist, it is not just because of segregation and oppression. In part, these things continue to exist due to misinformation.
It is widely believed that stereotypes are formed and imposed by one sect against another. If you look closely, you will find that it is not the case. There are more stereotypes in our society today that come from within a community. These have become so common that quite often, we are the ones acting them out, and forming new ones, without even realizing it.
For example, I went out with a couple of my friends to eat out at this famous Mexican restaurant the other day. When the bill came around, we had to figure out the tip and how much each of us had to pay and one of my friends offered to do the job.
"I guess I'll do it; I'm the Jew," he said.
I guess you will.
It's rather sad. There are way too many people who spend way too much time and energy trying to live up to these stereotypes and standards, rather than trying to break away from them. For example, people tend to believe that Asians are supposed to be really smart, and I see so many of my Asian friends who are under pressure from their families to do well in school because they are expected to live up to this standard.
Likewise, if you're an African-American, you have to talk a certain way, enjoy rap music and wear baggy clothes - otherwise, you're "not Black enough."
Often, stereotypes are responsible for giving birth to things like racism, classism, sexism and homophobia. Same old stuff. We all know it exists, and that it's true and yet, paradoxically, it persists - very much like pollution. It is there, and we know that; whether we do anything about it is another story.
Things have come a long way since the civil rights movement and today, if things like racism and sexism exist, it is not just because of segregation and oppression. In part, these things continue to exist due to misinformation.
It is widely believed that stereotypes are formed and imposed by one sect against another. If you look closely, you will find that it is not the case. There are more stereotypes in our society today that come from within a community. These have become so common that quite often, we are the ones acting them out, and forming new ones, without even realizing it.
For example, I went out with a couple of my friends to eat out at this famous Mexican restaurant the other day. When the bill came around, we had to figure out the tip and how much each of us had to pay and one of my friends offered to do the job.
"I guess I'll do it; I'm the Jew," he said.
I guess you will.
It's rather sad. There are way too many people who spend way too much time and energy trying to live up to these stereotypes and standards, rather than trying to break away from them. For example, people tend to believe that Asians are supposed to be really smart, and I see so many of my Asian friends who are under pressure from their families to do well in school because they are expected to live up to this standard.
Likewise, if you're an African-American, you have to talk a certain way, enjoy rap music and wear baggy clothes - otherwise, you're "not Black enough."
Sam
posted 8/10/07 @ 10:51 AM EST
All a stereotype really is is a shortcut. Think about it.