It's so funny, I was going to put this off, seeing that there's way too many other things that I should be doing, like sleeping, or planning vbs crafts, or more importantly finish writing my term paper for school. I just felt like getting something out there...It's been way too long since I have shared. So, on with the show! Hope you enjoy.
This is for the blog group A*N*D (A New Day)
As they keep changing MS...I am getting worse and worse @ making links...so, you'll have to search my friends...or copy and paste the following into your browser if it doesn't work.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=445587134&blogId=493097557I don't know exactly when, but at an early age, I learned about sterotypes. I didn't know that was the term, but I knew none the less.
For those of you who know me, you know that I have a brother who has some physical abnormalities...he was one of triplets, the only survivor, and he was born with a lot of things wrong with him. I remember how he would complain about people staring at him. I remember children asking so many questions, to which neither of us knew the answer....But most of all, I remember how hurt he was, that he wasn't considered "normal" like everyone else.
I think that is why I was always nice to everyone. I never wanted to cause pain for someone else, like the pain I saw my brother experience.
Although this may seem like a nice thing, it pretty much bit me in the butt in my adult years. I was quick to accecpt, always forgiving, and easily fell in love w/ people whose "flaws" I had overlooked.
Then, I dated someone who helped me change my opinion somewhat. He stereotyped
EVERYONE!!! I would argue with him for hours about total strangers. About "all women" or "all men" and many other things.
I realized that humans like to categorize things, and that is why we have sterotypes.
I do feel that at times, sterotypes can be okay. Like if you were bitten by a chihuahua everytime you came near one, you might sterotype them as "mean" or whatever.
There are limits to them though. Not all people who are fat are lazy, not all people who go to school are smart, not all women are helpless, not all men are "knights in shining armor" not all people who wear glasses are smart or nerdy...and on the opposite end sexy. (but boy do I want to pull that off) If you're reading this, you have more than likely thought of dozens of stereo types that you have, have heard, or have been accused of.
I think that the important thing is that we should realize that no one "thing" be it person, or other, is "always" something or "never" something. Generalizations are bland. I would rather get to know the person, before I judge. Wouldn't you?
Personally, when someone puts me in a catergory that I don't like, I either try to prove them wrong, or do things more drmatically to "prove them right" like being called a "hick" I will turn up the southern drawl. =0P It's my own personal..."go procreate w/ urself."
*It is now 4am so, if this isn't exactly making a lot of sense, plz. forgive me. I will edit as soon as I have had a bit of sleep! =0)
Do you give people a chance?
Are you quick to put someone in a category based on looks or ethnicity?
How did being sterotyped make you feel? Did you do anything about it?
I would LOVE to hear what you think about this.