Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Generalize
A few days ago, we had a discussion in class about stereotypes, focusing more towards African Americans being "dominant" in sports. During the conversation, Mr. Stewart asked if they (Africans), believed the stereotype that they were athletically dominant in sports. This lead me to think about the consequences that are being thrown out there to generalize people as a whole. If everyone decides to believe that all black people are talented athletes, what do you think is going through a young black boys mind, when he can't make the basketball team? It's the idea that he's black and he can't excel in the one thing people expect him to be good at, which leads to this feeling of not belonging, or not being "good enough". Although some of the stereotypes being put out there are "good", we still shouldn't generalize people as a whole, because most of the time it isn't true, and you never know how it might impact someone.
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You bring up a great point, Lauren. I never thought about how even positive stereotypes, or generalizations could negatively affect people. It really makes me think about how even a positive generalization, such as the example you gave (black kid who cannot play basketball), could be as detrimental as a negative stereotype. Although one is not seen as harmful, both can cause one to degrade him or herself.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a great point, Lauren. I never thought about how even positive stereotypes, or generalizations could negatively affect people. It really makes me think about how even a positive generalization, such as the example you gave (black kid who cannot play basketball), could be as detrimental as a negative stereotype. Although one is not seen as harmful, both can cause one to degrade him or herself.
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