Stereotype conformists?

[Relish in Chaos]

Now, this is something that's been on my mind for a while. Is it that bad if people adhere to certain stereotypes? The reason that I've been thinking about this is because I'm black, and I'm somewhat insecure about my race, partly or wholly due to the stereotypes (many negative) about blacks, which can breed prejudice and/or racism. I don't think my appearance should really determine my personality, and I'm inclined to see myself as a "white man in a black man's body", because (shock horror), I don't like basketball, I have no interest in sports, I don't casually use African-American slang, I've never tried watermelon or Kool-Aid, and I'm a socially awkward nerd.

So sometimes I feel as if those who, IMO, conform to those stereotypes, are giving me a bad name, and I get somewhat annoyed every time I have to listen to another fried-chicken or AIDS joke when that's got nothing to do with me. And I know that these same people are probably doing this because they've been watching Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (still a good show, though) repeats or see those constant guilt-tripping Oxfam ads with the poor little black boy with flies on his face.

Of course, that may be more the fault of, not only the jokers themselves, but my own insecurity, which I'm getting help for. But seriously, the media don't paint many of these people in a good light all of the time. Why do you think we have such a spread of Islamophobia?

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with people that just happen to adhere to certain stereotypes, as long as it's their own choice, it's harmless and they're not speaking for everyone.

 

[Raven's Nest]

snip.

I think your worrying about it too much. If you act normally and be yourself, those around you will inevitably accept you for who you are. Our society isn't so far gone that everybody associates anybody with a negative racial stereotype, particularly when they aren't behaving in a manner that even suggests a link.

Those that do are just sub-human, don't give them the time of day...

 

[Relish in Chaos]

snip.

I think your worrying about it too much. If you act normally and be yourself, those around you will inevitably accept you for who you are. Our society isn't so far gone that everybody associates anybody with a negative racial stereotype, particularly when they aren't behaving in a manner that even suggests a link.

Those that do are just sub-human, don't give them the time of day...

I know that, and I don't necessarily live in a place where that's rampant racism or anything like that, so maybe there's some slight exaggeration on my part. But I'm a pessimist, and objectively, there seem to be more disadvantages than they are advantages (if any) to being black. I don't want to be associated with any race in particular; I'm just neutral. I'd like to have an identity, but sometimes that takes too much work and damn sure I wouldn't want my identity to simplistically be "black".

And yes, I'm quite self-conscious about whether or not certain things I do may or may not have even the slightest adherence to any of the stereotypes about my race. But, like I said, I'm getting help.

I mean, this is a part, or a big part, of why so many teenage girls in Africa and Asia feel the need to bleach their skin to make it lighter. Because of the fucking media. But no, I'm not just going to blame the media. I'm going to blame society too. Thanks for contributing to vanity and insecurity about people's appearances and how it should apparently sum up a person's entire personality.

 

[Raven's Nest]

I know that, and I don't necessarily live in a place where that's rampant racism or anything like that, so maybe there's some slight exaggeration on my part. But I'm a pessimist, and objectively, there seem to be more disadvantages than they are advantages (if any) to being black. I don't want to be associated with any race in particular; I'm just neutral. I'd like to have an identity, but sometimes that takes too much work and damn sure I wouldn't want my identity to simplistically be "black".

And yes, I'm quite self-conscious about whether or not certain things I do may or may not have even the slightest adherence to any of the stereotypes about my race. But, like I said, I'm getting help.

I mean, this is a part, or a big part, of why so many teenage girls in Africa and Asia feel the need to bleach their skin to make it lighter. Because of the fucking media. But no, I'm not just going to blame the media. I'm going to blame society too. Thanks for contributing to vanity and insecurity about people's appearances and how it should apparently sum up a person's entire personality.

It's a sad truth I'm afraid. It must be hard for anyone who could be so easily attributed to a negative racial stereotype without rhyme or reason. Being white and pretty much middle classed, my opinion probably wouldn't hold much weight on such things, given how generally free of open discrimination that entails.

But still, I can share your sentiments in that I have no wish to be classed by what country I was born in and to which parents. All of that stuff is beyond our control. All you can really do is preach that message long enough until it finally sinks in. The world really needs more Martin Luther King's...

 

[Relish in Chaos]

I've never tried watermelon or Kool-Aid,

You really should, you are bound to find one of those two delicious. And not because you are black.

Well, I don't really have any burning desire to try either one, I'm not a fan of fruit in general, and I don't even know where you can get Kool-Aid where I live.

I know that, and I don't necessarily live in a place where that's rampant racism or anything like that, so maybe there's some slight exaggeration on my part. But I'm a pessimist, and objectively, there seem to be more disadvantages than they are advantages (if any) to being black. I don't want to be associated with any race in particular; I'm just neutral. I'd like to have an identity, but sometimes that takes too much work and damn sure I wouldn't want my identity to simplistically be "black".

And yes, I'm quite self-conscious about whether or not certain things I do may or may not have even the slightest adherence to any of the stereotypes about my race. But, like I said, I'm getting help.

I mean, this is a part, or a big part, of why so many teenage girls in Africa and Asia feel the need to bleach their skin to make it lighter. Because of the fucking media. But no, I'm not just going to blame the media. I'm going to blame society too. Thanks for contributing to vanity and insecurity about people's appearances and how it should apparently sum up a person's entire personality.

It's a sad truth I'm afraid. It must be hard for anyone who could be so easily attributed to a negative racial stereotype without rhyme or reason. Being white and pretty much middle classed, my opinion probably wouldn't hold much weight on such things, given how generally free of open discrimination that entails.

But still, I can share your sentiments in that I have no wish to be classed by what country I was born in and to which parents. All of that stuff is beyond our control. All you can really do is preach that message long enough until it finally sinks in. The world really needs more Martin Luther King's...

Yeah, that's true. Thanks.

 

[DugMachine]

I know where you're coming from being from south texas and hispanic, most people assume I know spanish, love fiestas, celebrate shit like charros days, gotta have a fucking pinata at my birthday parties, have a million family members (even though I do..), love mexican food, was born in mexico, have experienced the crazy drug cartels across the border... okay i'm ranting.

But anyways, just be yourself and stop caring about the stereotypes. Every race no matter what has stereotypes and they're going to be around until the end of time so might as well suck it up, tell people to piss off and live your life how you want.

I DON'T KNOW SPANISH

 

[Bongrips]

Snip

What are stereotypes, other than partial truths that have been blown way out of proportion and serve no purpose other than to generalize entire groups of people? Why is it appealing to generalize as such? Because it's easier than acknowledging that every person; black, white, off-white, whatever, has their own individual qualities, particularly if you're the sort of person who is closed minded, and therefore predisposed to thinking as such. Don't sweat it if you don't conform to what essentially is the expectations of casual bigotry; embrace your individuality, eh?

Now that being said, I can admit that adopting certain stereotypical traits can happen whether you intend to or not. My wardrobe consists almost entirely of plaid, I drink a lot of rye, eat a fuckton of seafood, and speak in a damn near incomprehensible bastardization of the English language. Is that because I'm a rural Nova Scotian, and our sterotype is that we're rough if not simple folk who live off of the sea, drink too much, and speak as though we're much slower on the uptake than our Upper-Canadian brethren? Nah. Plaid is stylish, I like fish, I love to drink, and my dialect is a product of being around others who speak that way. As I said, stereotypes are based on truths, but that should certainly be taken with a grain of salt.

Anywho, don't get hung up on expectations of what you should or shouldn't be; just be yourself, and you'll likely be happier for it.

Cheers, man.

 

[GoaThief]

Stop identifying yourself via skin colour, it's pretty simple. Most people really don't give a shit, especially on an individual basis. Don't pay much attention to the internet either.

This racism (white people have it easy, etc.) you're expressing is bullshit, white ladies burn their skin to make it darker because the media and society tells them it's better. Works both ways, grass is always greener, etc. Don't subscribe to that mindset and you're already winning the battle, both from your self-loathing and changing the general attitude of the public via social-osmosis.

 

[Limecake]

I've never tried watermelon or Kool-Aid, and I'm a socially awkward nerd.

I get somewhat annoyed every time I have to listen to another fried-chicken or AIDS joke when that's got nothing to do with me.

You're missing out if you've never had watermelon it's flipping delicious (regardless of skin colour) seriously though I never understood how saying black people like fried chicken and watermelon is racist. If you don't like watermelon and chicken there is something wrong with you! they are both delicious.

That being said the only prejudice I adhere to is probably the 'Canadians are Polite' one, I'm in general pretty friendly to people I don't know.