Stereotypes are so ingrained in our thinking. We look at someone, and we immediately pass judgment on their appearance or their gender or their ethnicity or their age or their profession. It's time for us to look at someone, and instead offer them a compliment or a smile. I was able to erase the following stereotypes from my mind based on interactions with people who broke those stereotypes. Hopefully these short stories will help erase the stereotypes from your mind, too.

Stereotype: "Women don't belong in STEM."

Stereotype Disproven: Last year, I participated in TRIP (Teen Research Internship Program) Initiative at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Previously the coordinator of a different program, TRIP's founder wanted to generate more opportunities for students. She completed her undergraduate degree in Genetics and Cell Biology, went on to get her Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Development, was involved in research for many years, became a professor of Biology at a local college, and is now working hard every day to ignite a passion for science and scientific discovery in students throughout her surrounding community. Don't try to tell me that she shouldn't have a place in STEM.

Stereotype: "African Americans are ghetto, disrespectful, and lazy."

Stereotype Disproven: As I walked towards the library, I heard rap music blasting. I looked up from my phone, and I saw that an African American man playing "Lose Yourself" by Eminem. He was so far ahead of me, yet he patiently waited until I reached the door, letting me in even before himself. As we walked to the quiet study room, he initiated a conversation by asking what I had to do today before telling me that he was going to be there all day studying for a Organic Chemistry exam. Ghetto? No. Disrespectful? No. Lazy? No.

Stereotype: "Girls in sororities are snobby and judgmental."

Stereotype Disproven: I was on my way to an interview. I got on the elevator, and I pressed "9" before I continued to check my inbox. I looked up for just a second, and I saw three girls in black shirts with their letters in purple, cursive font. One girl smiled at me, spoke up, and asked "Are you rushing?" I replied that I wasn't. She continued to tell me she thought I was because I looked dressed up. I explained to her that I was actually on my way to an important interview. She complimented my outfit, my hair, and proceeded to wish me all the best in my interview as I got off the elevator. I walked into that interview room with confidence and a smile. Let's change that stereotype to "Girls in sororities are kind and empowering."

Stereotype: "People who go to community college are stupid."

Stereotype Disproven: Some of the smartest people I know decided that after high school they wanted to move on not to a large university but rather to their local community college. They had applied to (and gotten into) some top-ranked universities but ultimately decided that it wasn't the best option. Some chose to attend community college for 2 years, some for 4 years. Some chose community college to save money, to stay at home with a sick parent, to keep their job in order to be able to pay for college, or to be able to focus on themselves in a small school. Whatever the reason may be, they did it, and making that choice doesn't make them stupid. There are people who went to community college who make over six figures. There are people who went to community college who don't have a job. Likewise, there are people who went to large universities who make over six figures. There are people who went to large universities who don't have a job. This stereotype is stupid; students at community colleges aren't.

"Cops are corrupt"

Stereotype Disproven: Tensions between police officers and the public have certainly settled, but it's not completely nonexistent. I come from a family that is heavily associated with law enforcement. The past couple of years brought out a lot of passion about equality, but with that passion came intense hate and extremely inaccurate generalizations. Yes, there are a number of police officers who are corrupt and hateful; however, there are also a lot of police officers (like my dad) who are people that are simply trying to provide for their families and better their communities.

Stereotype: "Professors don't care about their students."

Stereotype Disproven: Professors are usually pictured to be grumpy people who only care about their research, their income, but not their failing rates. Last semester, I had a two and a half hour class on Monday night from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. It was painful--it interrupted my dinner time AND my nap time. My professor was one of the greatest people I've ever met. She pushed back an assignment when she knew we were busy studying for midterms. She gave us a break each class in addition to time to meditate. She offered resume reviews and personal recommendations and office hours by appointment. She cared not only about our grade but also about our mental health and our success in other classes. She cared, and so do so many other professors.

Stereotype: "Janitorial work is for the uneducated."

Stereotype Disproven: I spilled coffee on my pants and I frantically walked towards the bathroom. The janitor was in there, and he said he was in the middle of cleaning it. He saw my pants, laughed, and told me to come in. I began to furiously wipe away the coffee stain that threatened to ruin my brand new pants. As he was cleaning the sink and I was wiping my pants, he inquired about what I was studying. After telling him a little bit about myself, he told me that he was currently a student at Duquesne and he was working this job so that he could pay for college. He planned to continue the job throughout the summer so that he could eventually afford to switch to the University of Pittsburgh. He might be uneducated right now, but with his hard work and determination, he will become educated. Even now, he's certainly way more educated than the individuals who believe and propagate this stereotype.

"Republicans are racist, sexist, and lack empathy."

Stereotype Disproven: Yes, many are. But, there are also Republicans who dislike Trump and disagree with all of the hate that he stands for. There are republicans who voted for Trump because of his economic policies and nothing more. We must not make assumptions based on the candidates for whom individuals voted. We must come together.