At the end of class today, I said that we all think stereotyping others is wrong but we all find ourselves doing so anyway. Given this disconnect between what we say we believe and how we actually think/act, do you think it's really possible to change how we put other people into categories?
Due: before our next class
Length: at least 1 well-developed paragraph
Reminders:
--Go directly to the Library, Room 827 (upstairs by the presidential doll collection) on TUE, 3/16. We will have class there.
--E-mail me your rough drafts (with at least 6 full annotations) by this weekend if you want extra credit (first couple of takers will get EC).
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I believe everyone categorizes people. We like to think that we don't but I'm sure we all analyze people and possibly use stereotypes to judge others, it's human nature. I believe it is possibly for us to change how we perceive others. We can change our outlooks on certain groups of people by our encounters and experiences with them. From my own life experience, I had bad encounters and relationships with people of a certain race. This happened consecutively and a part of me really started to believe that I wouldn't get along with anybody of this race until I met two other people that changed my perception and I was able to open up my close minded self and realize that not everyone is like that. It's just a bias we tend to gain after it keeps happening. It's easy to feel dislike towards certain groups of people but after a few good encounters we realize how close minded we were and why we categorized them that way. It just takes some realization that happens through experience.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is possible for us to change our outlook on how we categorize people. There are so many stereotypes for each and every race. With that in mind, how would we like it if some one of another race would be down talking on you or just not even socialize with you because of those stereotypes? I highly doubt anyone would like that feeling.. Which is why I think we shouldn’t judge one another based on looks. “Never judge a book by its cover”. People seem to categorize everyone by their outer most layer, which is either a persons clothes or their race. We need to be willing to give people a chance. For all you know that one person could end up being your best friend, business partner or God knows what. We just need to stop judging people by what we think makes a person, instead we need to get to know them and judge them by what really counts- character.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible to not categorize people but i think it would be a hard thing to do, especially if you keep encountering situations where you can't help but think certain groups of people are a certain way. Since I've worked in retail for years, it's kind of a habit to predict how a certain customer is going to act based on their age, race, and sex but especially their tone of voice that they speak to me in.
ReplyDeletebased on what I see, I believe everybody stereotypes and it is very hard to not too. It is the degree of stereotype that differs on what is proper or not. People should know that they should not stereotype therefore it decreases the urge and reflex of categorizing people and implying certain facts upon them. However there are some men such as pious persons who does not show a hint of stereotype and who knows what they think inside their head.
ReplyDeleteStereotyping is wrong since we attribute characteristics of the few and generalizing it to represent the whole. It is used in many different ways e.g. for the purpose of humor, explaining why certain people do thing the way they do or fail at doing them and in the process the assumptions become harmful as they allow people to see others lesser than them and hurt or deny them opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAll of us engage in stereotyping since they are defined by our background and we are socialized to accept them as we grow up and thus become part of us. It is impossible to ignore them or erase them entirely because we may at times do it unconsciously.
Therefore, it is important to be aware that they are wrong and that we all act on them. Even though we may not completely do away with them, being aware allows us to be in a better position to recognize instances we use stereotypes and learn how to avoid them.
I think it's impossible not to categorize people and generalize their behavior. We've all grown up with family, peers, and the media telling us what to think and believe when it comes to people. Although many of us (myself included) feel that this is wrong and try not to think this way, I'm sure these stereotypes still linger in the back of our minds when we meet and interact with people. Stereotypes are truly bad for society. Stereotypes segregate people and cultures, and prevent us all from coming together.
ReplyDeleteI think not stereotyping is almost impossible. we as human interact with many kinds and i believe not categorizing people would very difficult to do. Yes, although we dislike stereotyping i do think we ALL do it anyways. I myself as everyone else is responsible for such action even if we mean no harm on doing so we do it as if it was a human instinct.
ReplyDeleteStereotyping is so common in today's society that truthfully speaking there will always be stereotyping. No matter whom it is or what the stereotype is.It's very sad, but there's no changing it. People become so used to it now, that it almost comes naturally to them. Some people are not even aware of when they stereotype. Many of us believe that it is wrong but it is very difficult not to stereotype. But it is possible, people just need to realize that just because someone believes in a certain way, does something a certain way, or looks a certain way, does not mean they are a certain way.
ReplyDeleteI don't think, as humans, that we can NOT categorize people. Stereotyping is inevitable due to each humans physical difference which may boil down to skin color, hair color, race, gender, culture, etc. The day every human on earth is nearly the same in all those areas, then stereotyping will be eradicated,
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that everyone uses stereotypes all the time. However we use stereotypes without knowing it. Stereotyping will never change. I don't mean to offend some people, but I believe that whites put themselves above all other races. I say this because they claim to be superior than others. To sum it all up, people stereotype because it is easier to generalize people instead of knowing who they really are.
ReplyDeleteMost people will always categories someone based on who they are. Stereotyping is seen everywhere in society these days, and I think it is nearly impossible to change how people categories each other. As long as people do not talk negatively directly towards someone and they just keep it to themselves or just say it in a joking way, then I think there would not be much problems from stereotyping each other.
ReplyDeleteStereotyping is just human nature. There is nothing more to it. It is in us no matter how hard we try to ignore it. I believe that subconsciously we are always judging people. Yes, stereotyping is something that most people look down upon. And it really should be that way because in most cases we hear about it is discrimination about a certain type of race or gender. But honestly, looking at the whole picture I believe judging others has a bad reputation. Making snap judgements is a very necessary part of life, sometimes you really just don't have the time "to get to know" if a person could be a possible threat to you. I kind of think of stereotyping sometimes as a persons own survival instincts. I mean without making snap judgments every once in a while can get you into a lot of trouble, so sometimes you just need stereotyping.
ReplyDeleteNo. It is impossible to stop people from stereotyping its just part of human nature to do so. its a chain pretty much and it starts with our parents or people we associate with. Parents teach us to stereotype from the start. and we grow up thinking that that is right. but i do believe that people who are more educated stereotype less because they are more aware and more open minded. but to have a world in which no one stereotypes i think that would be a very screwed up world(more then it already is) because people would just assume everyone is the same and nice and people would be given jobs they cant do people would marry to people they thought were the right one.
ReplyDeleteno our world needs stereotyping its just the way it works around here im not saying im completely ok with this but its not going to change ever so we just have to deal with it.
It is impossible for people to not stereotype or put people in categories.I am very used to doing so at work. I am a security guard at the house of blues and we are always gauging the crowds that come through the venue. There are now preconceived notions about certain crowds because of their repeated actions. For instance reggae crowds will always try to bring in and smoke weed. This is just a general fact we have come to accept and try to prevent. Rockabilly and Punk crowds are going to drink...a lot so we prepare for the worst with these shows. The best crowds seem to be country and kids shows. Country crowds are very respectful and do not cause any altercations. Kids are the easiest to get into the venue because they will follow all the directions to get inside because they want into the show so badly. All of this categorizing actually helps our venue. These stereotypes often dictate how much labor we have and the kinds of guards that are staffed for each night. These stereotypes also determine where each guard will be placed that night based on our own characteristics. Seeing as how I am a woman I am not staffed in the barricade for a punk show that is for our more large male security guards. I am okay with this because I feel I would flounder in that situation honestly.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows that sterotyping is bad, but it's human nature to do it. Whenever you meet someone, you automatically get a vibe from that person whether you want to or not. It doesn't matter if you are the most righteous person in the world, you are still going to sterotype and pass judgement on others. For example, you aren't going to leave you kids with a babysitter with piercings all over their body and tattoos with ripped clothes and messy hair. You're automatically going to think that person might be doing drugs or living a lifestyle that is unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's possible to completely eliminate sterptyping because i believe it's a human nature quality, but i do believe we can not do it so harshly or extreme. Not even fits into their sterotype whether its gender, sexual orientation, race, etc.
i think that as far as completely taking stereotyping out of the society, its never going to actually happen because its used in everyday life. nobody likes to be stereotyped but everybody does it in one way or another. I've been stereotyped my whole life because of the way i look people think i'm snobby, and because i was a cheerleader people think i'm bitchy, and it sucks to be categorized into these things because of the activities we do, and what we look like. Even though i hate being stereotyped i kinda do it. as a waitress you look at your tables differently like "oh these people are ghetto im not getting a good tip" or if people are young i think the same thing, and it's wrong. I try to stop myself from judging but its inevitable at times. I believe that making stereotypes is wrong in every way, but its kind of unstoppable.
ReplyDeleteI think stereotping is just human. And it's what humans do regardless of anything. I don't think that it can be taken away from us because it's part of what we are. There are always people out there that will judge you for what you wear and how you approach different situations. For most people, they will always have a category where they will be in put by other people. People perveives differently, and I don't think that stereotyping will have a stop to it any time soon. I see a lot of people thinking that it is wrong to stereotype others, but many people do it without even noticing that they are doing so. Even though many people who disagree with stereotype, there is really nothing you can do to prevent it. It's everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI catch myself judging people by how they look or act when i first them, but I try really hard not to. I know that I am nothing like what how I look like I would be,and I wouldn't want people to judge me by just looking at me. I believe that one person that stop themself from stereotyping, but as a whole society I don't think it is possible. People will always judge people by their skin color, sexual orientation, gender, etc., and there isn't much we can do about that.
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