Stereotype This

It’s Black History Month in case you forgot.   So naturally I have been hosting discussions in my classes about words like prejudice, discrimination, stereotype etc.  In basic levels we just discuss what they mean, advanced levels how they apply to history in the U.S. and Colombia.  The word that urks me the most is stereotype.  It’s a hard word to explain.  It’s also hard to convince people that even though we may say we aren’t racist or exclusive (and we very well may not be), that doesn’t mean that stereotypes don’t still help dictate our daily behavior, thoughts, and judgments.

 

We’re human; we use heuristics and stereotypes to help us make decisions, perceive new circumstances, fill in the gaps.  I don’t see anything per say wrong in that.  The problem is when we demonstrate fixedness in that our early use of a heuristic or stereotype primes the way we see, understand, and predict future circumstances or behavior.  We have a natural tendency to want to be right, and for that reason we notice and remember behavior typical of a stereotype far more frequently and powerfully than anything contradictory.  It happens subconsciously. 

I’ll be the first to admit that stereotypes exist for a reason; they aren’t arbitrary.  The problem is that they are usually extreme, exaggerated.  So I had my Advanced 2 students stereotype themselves.  Make a list of some of their personal information that categorizes them: city of origin, neighborhood, age, activities in which they participate etc.  What stereotypes correspond?  Does that perception match their true self or even their desired self?  In over 90% of students, neither was the case (this was a crap study btws, seeing as n=20).  I stereotyped myself.

From a wealthy suburb à stuck up; naïve about the real world, fixated on money and success

Traveler to “dangerous” places à risk-taker

Like watching and playing sports à butch (excuse the non PC term, just trying to make a point)

Proud member of a sorority à elitist, follower, superficial, girly girl

Likes to study and probably (definitely) cared too much about grades à dork!

Non-religious à no faith, uncaring

Dance team member à sold out ballerina

Domestic fool à poor future husband

The list goes on.  Now obviously there are positive stereotypes that correspond to each of these, and we use those on a daily basis as well.  But looking at that list, is it even possible that I be all those things at once?  I’m far from fixated on money.  Risk-taker?  I can hardly handle betting valueless clay chips in a friendly round of poker.  You get my point.  I guess I just wanted to show my students that even though stereotypes are natural and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up for subconsciously using them every once in awhile, they can still do a lot of damage.  The best thing we can do is be ourselves and overcome our stereotypes, maybe then we’ll learn how not to use them against others.