We all have been stereotyped before and it doesn’t feel so good does it? We should get to know one another before having preconceived notions. It can be very harmful to automatically just assume before knowing facts. Educate yourself and be open minded before judging others.
Identity and Stereotypes
Everyone struggles with existential questions such as, “Who am I?” and “Who do I want my future self to be?” One reason why, may be that the answer is too complex.
Identity includes the many relationships people cultivate, such as their identity as a child, friend, partner, and parent. It involves external characteristics over which a person has little or no control, such as height, race, or socioeconomic class. Identity also encompasses political opinions, moral attitudes, and religious beliefs, all of which guide the choices one makes on a daily basis (Psychology Today). Just because someone has a certain belief system doesn’t mean that is who they are all of the time.
We all may have characteristics to us but it’s not a set-in stone type of thing. There are many other things to learn about a person before you judge for example if someone is a vegan and has strict morals about it doesn’t mean that person will start protesting or judge people who are meat eaters. It all depends on the person everyone is different.
Also being disabled people think that I’m mentally disabled and I’m not so they should ask before assuming.
Race and Stereotypes
Racial stereotypes are automatic and exaggerated mental pictures that we hold about all members of a particular racial group. When we stereotype people based on race, we don’t take into account individual differences. Because our racial stereotypes are so rigid, we tend to ignore or discard any information that is not consistent with the stereotype that we have developed about the racial group (University Counseling Center). Racial stereotypes are so harmful because it’s demeaning and very hurtful to others. Some racial stereotypes we had to face as African American individuals is that we had huge lips, we lacked knowledge (Uneducated), we are violent …, and so much more. There’s even Gender profiling such as Men are strong, and they have to work while the women have to sit back and cook while take care of the kids.
Here are some more Stereotypes you can learn more about at: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/stereotype-examples.html
Reference:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/identity
https://ucc.nd.edu/self-help/multicultural-awareness/overcoming-stereotypes/
-Golda Rae
