This era is known for great cultural growth. While under going war in one part of the world, we are fighting a war of equality, big ideas, and change on our home land. Almost every product on tv aims toward new empowering campaigns. Always’ new campaign “#LikeAGirl” is just one example of the large population of companies promoting more than just their product. Our society is working to break stereotypes. Break the chains on judgement and whittle down the wall of assumptions.
I love the saying, “to have a child-like faith” that is commonly used in the church. It is a saying that allows you to remember the times as a child where you just loved unconditionally, feared nothing, and believed magical things. When we are born we are born knowing nothing of the negatives of the world. We are born into a world of hope, joy, and love. As we age we are shown the way of the world by our parents, siblings, other family members, and other people that surround us. We are influenced by their actions, words, and judgements. If Mom says, “Don’t touch that, it's dirty,” we automatically associate that object with being dirty. When she says, “Don’t watch that, it’s inappropriate” or “Don’t hang out with them, they’re bad influences” or “Don’t look at them they are desperate” we make assumptions and judgements on people. When family members or friends just walk right past a homeless person without looking at them or paying them any attention, we learn that that is how we should treat them.
At a young age we learn judgement. Judgement isn’t always a bad thing but suddenly we are a lesser human being because before we even know that person or thing we assume things about them. Stereotypes ruin us at a young age.
Our generation seems to target this issue and run with it. In a very positive light there are many campaigns towards breaking the stereotypes of what it means to be a girl. Also in a positive light we see campaigns, songs, movies, and more that shatter the mold of what a woman should look like. Real women with real bodies. There is a commercial out currently by Kleenex where a young boy hands a girl a kKleenex and says, “The thing is, people think boys are loud and immature and don't care about feelings, but they’re wrong.” This is the first time I remember seeing the stereotype of boys being broken as well. These are all important to going back to that child-like love. We are built with love for everyone and everything. We come into the world knowing nothing but love. That is amazing to me. At some point, though, we are quickly introduced to stereotypes.
In the news, this past year or so, there has been the fight between black and white people A fight that I thought was resolved years ago -- specifically white police. The stereotypes in these situations are terribly alarming. The media has only fed into this stereotype. Imagine how bad media could have made this stereotype way back when we were first battling it. I am not claiming that these stories are untrue because, sadly, in many cases they are. But I also know that I dearly love my friends of all ethnicities. In fact, they are no different than me. Could it be possible that white male police officers also love their friends of all backgrounds? I believe that to be a true statement. The stereotype of white male police is a negative stereotype that could ruin the once positive image of police. Children may grow up seeing that police are the bad guys. And like I said, sometimes this could be true. The police could be the bad guys. But the media has blown it up into a larger portion of police than it truly is. Stereotypes have the ability to change drastically with the explosion in social media.
Some are using social media, and other media, as a way to fight for the new stereotypes and that is empowering to me. Others are using it as a way to step back from progress and tear down the non-judgement that would have been already built up. When we are young it is so important for us to see the world for what we make it. Raise kids to love their neighbor, to love the strangers, to love their classmates, to love their friends, and to love their family. This may seem like a vulnerable state for a child, but what is worse to me is seeing a child grow up with stereotypes etched into their minds. Allow them to live with the freedom of love.
Stereotypes ruin kids at a young age because they are persuaded to think like the rest of the world. They don’t get to make their own judgements. Heck, a lot of families in America are Christian households and they promote Jesus. Jesus hung out with people that other people had already labeled as being unworthy. Jesus hung out with what other people considered the “lowest” in society. Whether you’re religious or not there is something to learn from stories like this. A man who is seen as holy and grand who also hangs out with people who nobody else wants. Allow your children to be a little more like Jesus and a little less like the rest of the world.
