We live in a world full of generalizations and assumptions. Meeting someone new includes judging their personality, their possible beliefs, and opinions. Our society tells us that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s something the human race has done for thousands of years. In fact, judging people is how humans have survived for so long. It turns out, being judgmental is hardwired into our brains. Upon first meeting someone, We try and figure out if they’re trustworthy. Back when our society functioned in tribes, this was essential. If the judgement is wrong and that person isn’t trustworthy, it could turn ugly for the rest of the tribe. We use this for not just people, but for situations as well. We determine in short increments of time if a condition is safe, ultimately affecting others. Without this incredible ability, our species would not be where it is today.
Although this is a useful tool to have, it can be used in a wrongful way. Subconsciously, judging people turns into stereotyping. These stereotypes include dumb blondes, inarticulate African Americans, and all Italians must be cops. These stereotypes occur by simplifying a group of people into a category without us realizing it. It means we put people in a box and when we open it, we have a list of assumptions about them. This can create social problems in that those within those boxes believe that stereotypes about themselves are true. However, there are smart blondes, articulate African Americans, and Italians working any other job they want. In the Ted Radio Hour, they talk about our perceptions of people in many ways, and in this case, through poetry.
It can become easy to mistake stereotyping with racism. So it is important to note that racism is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior” while stereotyping is “a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.” Jamila Lyiscott was not told she could not participate because she is African American, she was told she is articulate. This is an oversimplified assumption that African Americans are inarticulate. To state the obvious, this is not true. Both racism and stereotyping is a problem that should be addressed. It is important that we first understand why we judge others, know when we’re doing it, and then break through an impending stereotype.
In the U.S., one of the biggest stereotypes is against those from the Middle East. Due to America’s horrific memory of 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, it has been difficult for many to think that not all Muslims are terrorists. In Playing with Perceptions by the Ted Radio Hour, Maz Jobrani, a comedian and actor, talks about the struggles of being and Iranian-American. He tells the host Guy Raz that many of his Iranian friends have a hard time finding dates due to their ethnicity and find it easier if they change their name to sound more American. It’s disappointing to see how much a stereotype can effect someones life and although we see it, we continue thinking this way.
In an article I wrote for The Odyssey called Why Dumb Blonde Jokes Aren’t Funny, I addressed a stereotype I had dealt with. Others deal with similar instances everyday, in many cases worse. We must stop this trend and know that who we think a person is, is most likely wrong.
