The World Can't Exist Without Stereotypes
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The World Can't Exist Without Stereotypes

We judge people we see everyday... and what's so wrong with that?

500
The World Can't Exist Without Stereotypes
Storify.com

Stereotypes exist for a reason, and those reasons are completely and utterly valid. Bold start, but think about it; If people didn't assume or judge others, how would we know to trust someone or feel secure and stress-free in everyday life? Judgments have been around since the primordial era of human existence, and that isn't bound to stop anytime soon, and here's why.

As infants, we are instantly exposed to an important decision with every blurry figure we encounter-Should I trust this being? You instantly have to judge little things about a person, like if their heartbeat and voice are soothing, if they are soft to touch, or if they are gentle and want to protect you. This is just a a psychological development theory by revolutionary psychologist Erik Erikson(Great Name, really unique), but it proves a great point. Either a baby likes you and finds comfort in being held and fed by you, or they don't. Infants judge, as nature intends them to, so why is it so bad in society now?

I'll be brutally honest here, and you need to be when you ask yourself this question too: Do people of different ethnicities and races frighten you occasionally, just by looking at them? For me, yes, sometimes. People of every race sometimes scare me in certain situations or places, but that is how we become aware of dangerous situations. Imagine you were walking home and instead of going an extra 3 blocks around some buildings, you decided to cut through an alley instead. The alley is pretty regular, and you've walked that route a few times, but this time, you look down the alley and a group of very large black men are about 40 feet away, making sexist jokes, flipping coins into their hands and stumbling around, disoriented like. Are you likely to walk down the alley and walk past those assumingly fine gentleman? Chances are, no, you're not.

In this generation of ours, if you choose to even think anything but "That's my equal" about anyone, you become a fascist, racist bigot who voted for Trump because you love guns and want to shove them in everyone's face about how great they are. Thats another stereotype, right there! Its almost always false to encounter that exact type of person simply because they voted for someone or don't think everyone is equal because of social classes. You can't say what I'm saying and get away with it very often because you earn a stereotype, which brings me back to paragraph 3 up there.

People are different, people are NOT equal, and it is almost impossible for it to be this way. Everyone being equal in the eyes of almost all others is called Communism, and it doesn't work for a reason. It's natural to categorize and stereotype people, and often you might learn you're wrong, but sometimes, you'll be right. You pick who you talk to in classes based on how they dress, look, act or talk, so what is so wrong about doing the exact same thing with everyone else? Someone had to of thought "There's a Muslim man over there, he might blow me up" and end up correct. Once again, that is not always the case, but if you want to look after yourself in every sense, you have to judge those around you, THEN learn who they actually are.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

98436
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments