Stereotypes. We all do it; we all judge the cover of a book before we actually read it. We have premeditated thoughts about individuals just by looking at them. This isn’t a race, religion, gender, or sexuality issue, but a people issue. Not one race is targeted, not one person is able to get away from the stereotyping in society. Yes, other people are more negatively depicted than others, but that doesn’t mean we all feel the hurt. I am an upper-middle class, white, female, college student who attends a liberal arts college. From that small description, many can assume multiple scenarios about me and my personality, but they have it all wrong.
Race is targeted heavily for stereotypes because it is the first thing you see of a person like it should matter. Hispanics are generalized as Mexican criminals, black people are looked at as if they are going to commit the next murder, Asians feel the societal pressure of being the smartest, and of course the white people are told they are privileged and that they don’t understand struggles. This can be far from the truth. Many Hispanics are known to be very hard workers; it comes from their culture. Our President for the past eight years was African American and led a country. He isn’t going to commit any crimes because he is a classy man. No matter what one’s race is, they can be intelligent. And despite what many minorities believe, yes even white people can come from poverty and have struggles. It is ridiculous that race has to define things.
This past election has made me realize how vulnerable you were once you revealed who you voted for or whether you swing left or right. As a young millennial being able to vote for the first time, it was hard to say that I am more conservative. Many of my friends are democrats and, without them realizing would judge me for my political decisions. I have a personal rule that I will never judge someone’s opinions because I wouldn't want to lose friendships because I did not vote for Hilary Clinton. But as a younger Republican, I am judged and stereotyped much worse. To be clear, I do not hate gay people, I am pro-choice, I don’t care if people want to recreationally want to smoke marijuana, and I believe that women should be paid just as much as their male counterparts. I don’t care if you believe that these things are wrong or right, or if you believe that college education should be free, I will still be friends with you. I like listening to all opinions, and I hope that people would give me the same respect instead of blowing me off and calling me a racist homophobe who hates America and change.
Gender and sexuality are also stereotyped when frankly, it shouldn't matter. No one should care who a person wants to love or if they want to change their identity. It is anyone’s business but the person it influences. Once people figure this out, the world would be a much happier place. History proves women continually fight to be treated in a more appropriate manner. No matter what we do, we are judged. You sleep with too many people; you are a slut. You are a virgin; you are a prude. Girls who party hard are looked at as crazy, but girls who don’t go out are lonely and boring. What we look like, the definition of perfection is built into our heads. None of this should matter.
To further better our society, we as Americans need to learn to be more loving and accepting of our differences, all of them. We cannot hate each other based on our skin color, party affiliation, gender, or sexuality. To be honest, it is none of your business what other people believe or who they want to be with. What a person looks like should not matter when you are choosing friends. If we can stop hating each other in this country, then maybe we could be a happier place to live in. But until we can learn that, many Americans will live in fear of being judged for their actions.
