Stereotypes bug me. Almost all stereotypes are patently untrue, and can be dispelled by looking around. (However, I still maintain that white people can't dance.)
Recently, for the benefit of a homogenous campus, I wrote to several acquaintances with blunt questions based on common stereotypes (not my own beliefs), and told them to refute the myths.
I don't recommend asking other people these questions. Others may not be so receptive. These questions (and their answers) may offend, but sometimes, growing hurts. (Angry people will have missed the point.)
Do all black people eat fried chicken and watermelon on their porches?
Aric Lewis, a black male alumnus, refutes with sarcasm: "Through extensive surveying of the worldwide black population (which took some time, considering how so many of us look alike) I found it surprising that we don't. It appears that if we could, we all would, (similar to how we all vote Democrat) but some of us lack porches, others the tropical climate we so require to eat outdoors, and still more substitute frog legs, alligator and any other number of meats that purportedly 'taste like chicken.' Watermelon, however, was nearly universal: We hate it. As it turns out we just eat it because it reminds us of red Kool-Aid."
Are all Muslims radical terrorists bent on the destruction of western civilization?
Fahad Alqurashi, a Muslim, writes: "No. The best way to look at the relationship between Muslims and western civilization is through a continuum that has multiple attitudes. Radical terrorists represent one end and radical liberals, who call for embracing western civilization at the risk of sacrificing some of the basics of Islam, represent the opposite end. I'm moderate: I never relinquish any Islamic teachings and at the same time I can live with people of other faiths with no problems."
Are all Asians rice-eating Kung Fu masters bent on buying America?
Kim Vu, a Vietnamese-American, writes: "It's fairly obvious that not all Asians are like that. I am as non-Asian as I can get in terms of stereotypes. I'm not a math or science whiz, I'm not a virtuoso cellist or violinist, I'm not a computer science major, and most of all, I don't know how to karate chop anyone."
Do all Hispanics carry knives and pick tomatoes?
Robert Lopez, a Mexican-American, writes: "I have never picked a tomato in my life, and except for some target shooting have never wielded a weapon." He adds, "I feel the best away to erode these stereotypes is to work hard and make yourself into a successful individual."
Is there a Jewish Conspiracy?
Drew Linkon, who is Jewish, writes: "I've heard all my life about this so-called 'Jewish Conspiracy.' We don't own all the banks and we don't run the media. If there was a Jewish Conspiracy, I wouldn't be broke (Not every Jew is tight with money. I spend money like it's going out of style.), and I would have a media job waiting for me when I graduate. I can't put any stake in this conspiracy rumor. However, it is true that Jews make almost every movie. But that's just a coincidence."
Vu concludes: "A lot of people who harbor these stereotypes come from very white backgrounds and really haven't been subjected to much diversity. You see (that) reflected on TV and in movies. How we do (get) rid of all these stereotypes is a daunting task indeed. I'm not sure we can completely eradicate racism. That's just wishful thinking. All we can hope to do is change one mind at a time. I've seen that happen, and it works."
Next week: socio-political stereotypes - liberals, gays and blondes, oh my!
Write to John at
kingseyeland@bsu.edu
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