ETH125 is "Race and Ethnicity in America". But I believe most all on this forum can relate anyway.

So. We were talking today about stereotypes and the various groups for stereotyping. Teacher asked us, to start a discussion, whether or not it'd be possible to get rid of stereotypes. I was the first to answer. I said:

I think it's possible to get rid of stereotypes. When you consider that they're created via parents indoctrinating their children with them, a habit of labeling a group of people who appear similar as being something based off of an action with one person who appears to be of said group, and an unwillingness in general, the solution would be one that takes a great deal of time, patience, and open-mindedness. We must teach children that being different is normal, and that people are beautiful for their differences, and that even though people are different they are equal, because we're all humans. If we take the time to learn about people for who they are not what they are or what they may be, and show others that we can be open to learning and respecting others, in due time I feel stereotypes will cease to exist.


Loads of hands went up afterwards. First response to what I said? "Yea, well, first off that crazy with glasses is a retard. Stereotypes are gonna be 'bout forever 'cuz some people are better than others and that's that."

The rest of the class basically agreed with him. I think I shouldn't raise my hand in that class anymore.

Anyway! Your views on the topic?

Having never experienced ethical discussions/seminars as of yet (I'm only 16, really), I can only guess that the first person is either 1. a dick, 2. pessimistic or 3. a pessimistic dick. You get those kinds of people wherever you go. While their argument of some people being 'better than others and that's that' is confusing (Better because ___?), it's more confusing that everyone would just...up and agree with it.

Also, it's not so much parents indoctrinating their children as it is..well, culture and other influences. I know my parents didn't try and stereotype anyone for me. It was mostly television and other things (and, as I grew up, most comedy shows >_>)

Stereotypes will be around forever simply because we're human and we judge people. The -same- stereotypes won't be around forever, simply because history has proven that they come and go.

Not for the stupid reason that guy says though.

I learned that one quick in my race, class, and gender class.

That said, the pessimistic dick is probably close. Some people will always think they're better then others, no matter what they're taught.

1. Stereotypes -will- be around forever because humans will do anything they can to put themselves above others. For example, calling the guy a dick because you want to assure, either yourself or others, that he is a dick and you are not, and thus you are on a higher moral ground than him.

2. Some people just are plain better than others.

Whether or not 1 and 2 are related, that's up to other people to argue and whatnot.

Couldn't it be argued for 1 that a person calls someone else a dick to state the obvious? Regardless of the situation.

And what, in your opinion, and everyone else's, would define someone as being better than someone else?

First off, if he really said that then the guy sounds like a dick. His argument is actually a bit poor, one group is not just better then another group. I do agree though that stereotypes will always exist. Even if parents were to stop teaching stereotypes of people to children and to teach them that everyone is equal. It is a natural reaction for people to make generalized ideas about a group of people.

Edit: And keep raising your hand. Everyone needs class participation points and hey, maybe at some point you can show why that guy is wrong.

I don't have a choice. Participation is 70% of the grade.

Plenty of opportunities to upstage him, then.

If he starts off with the retard thing on anyone again, point out that he's using ad hominem arguments rather than anything with any true base.

I'd just walk out of the room and never come back.

Oh man, I'd hate to have a class like that.

Srsly, how will you sleep through it? Thats the only way to survive classes like this one.

I actually chose that teacher BECAUSE I *like* to participate.

Seems my butt got bitten on this one.

I also believe that some form of stereotypes will always exist.

However I would word the reason for it differently. and I would also extend the meaning of "stereotypes."

People most often get stereotyped based on their use of vocabulary and their clothing. Much more so than race or gender (though the combo of clothing or language added with race or gender tends to be the defualt assumption) (i.e. a black guy in a business suit, might be stereotyped as "acting white", or a white guy in sports clothing might be stereotyped as "acting black" .. but its really the clothing and language/body language that the person is using which feeds the stereotypes, more so than the actual race or gender.)

Basically the reason for this, is that as human being was create categories in our mind, we put things into boxes. The more educated we become, the more boxes we put things in, but it doesn't stop us from placing things into boxes. And putting something or someone into a box, is what we call stereotyping.

Oh, and just keep in mind that the purpose of the class is not to educate you, the purpose of the class is to get everyone to agree with each-other regarding the politics of race in America. Rarely will they have actual discussions regarding the studies, or the validity of the studies on the subject. They will only have you discuss the results of the studies they want you to discuss to lead you towards a certain political perspective at the end of the class.

Nope, I'm not jaded at all.

ZOMG THE LIBRULS

Although I do agree with you.

Yup. My prof in a similar class was a crazy liberal hippie, it was awful. She certainly didn't want to hear what I had to say.

They aren't always liberal you know. (only 90% of the time)

The fact that this thread went from Stereotypes and if they'll ever be purged from society to Liberals and Hippies makes my irony meter groan.