Stereotypes, why oh why do we fall into stereotypes. A while back I did a couple blogs on labeling things in our life & on judging people. Stereotyping falls right into these blogs and if you'd like you can look back & read them (I think they are in Sept. or Oct). Stereotyping to me is a disgusting practice that far too many of us fall into. It's an easy way to judge anyone. You see if you're English you have bad teeth or if your from the south you must be stupid & a hick. We've all heard them over & over again. In fact that's the problem. We've heard these statements so much in our life that they've become a part of our life.
There's a wonderful song from the musical "South Pacific" called "Carefully Taught" here are the lyrics:
You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!
We need to let go of the prejudices & stereotypes that we've been taught all of our life. The only way to move forward to a better world is to become open & accepting to others. Take a look at all the things you define in your life & challenge those definitions. Move beyond the programing of your life. Open your heart & love, accept people for who they are not who they should be.
I know this isn't an easy lesson. It's hard to move beyond something you've always know. There's comfort in the normal or in the deep seated teachings we've learned to accept. Yes, we've accepted them without challenge because they've been so embedded in our life & especially in our youth. Break the pattern & change the world!
Till tomorrow,
Bill
Quote of the day:"Let go of all the stereotypes you've learned, open your heart to the beauty of others. Make the world a better place."
10 comments:
Timberwolf,
I teach kindergarten and in the past, I have seen stereotyping start as early as five years old. So sad! Great post!!!!!!!!
Thank you for teaching our children. I hold teachers in very high regard because of the great work most of them do for our kids. It is sad that it starts so early. There was a study done that says it may start as early as 3 because we're taught at that age to not be compassionate & that we are separate for everyone else....kids feel connected to everyone. Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bill
Bill, love this...Stereotyping is still alive and kicking unfortunately...but we must set a better example for our children and keep at it till they get it and teach it to their own children and so on...thanks for sharing!
This one REALLY hit home for me. I've been stereotyped in my past. Now, my son (sadly) is going through it.
The worst part, is it's not only by those outside our home's walls (general society), but within our own extended family as well.
Couple of stereotypes I routinely face as an Indian: you "must" be vegetarian; you "must" pray a lot; you "must" cook every night. And this in an area we're proud to call culturally diverse and tolerant! It begins early and stereotypes take a while to fade ... broadcast media and movies play a big role in reinforcing stereotypes, too. And it happens in every culture, unfortunately. The best we can do is be aware of these stereotypes and try not to be judgmental ourselves -- especially those of us who know what it's like to be on the other side of the fence. Thanks for writing on this important topic.
Sharon, Melissa & Mansi, thanks for your comments. I know this is a big reality that we all have to face. I just open that we can understand that it isn't the right thing & we need to change this pattern that we've all grown up with.
Hugs,
Bill
Bill so timely and as always pokes us out of our slumber. In my radical days I wore an ID bracelet with "A Person" inscribed instead of my name. I had to take it off when a gentleman sitting next to me on a plane started calling Ms Person. I wondered if they would know who I was if the plane crashed. You should look up the definition of "contempt" is quite chilling. Thanks, as always!
Hi, Bill. Unfortunately, this is a topic that never loses its relevance. As you so aptly pointed out, we must all take responsibility for teaching our children values. Probably the best technique is to teach by example. Thanks for another great post.
Rightly said Bill, stereotyping mostly comes from our belief system and quite often than not it gets embedded into the minds of the young, especially when they notice it in those, whose actions they wish to emulate. Our belief system and/or behaviour patterns are based on what we have learnt/observed since birth to the age of 15 years.
Yet again, a lovely article from you. Thank you Bill!
I think it's fascinating that DNA research reveals just how closely related we all are, but we focus on the "shell."
If you get a chance, watch the recent PBS specials about Faces in America.
We are taught to discriminate and to fear what's different.
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