How Stereotype Works

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What is Stereotype?

"We slaughter one another in our words and attitudes. We slaughter one another in the stereotypes and mistrust that linger in our heads, and words of hate we spew from our lips"
-Nelson Mandela-

We cannot change someone’s perspective of seeing the world in a specific way rather an experience can change the view. It is said that ‘’Judging a person doesn’t define who they are. It defines who you are.’’ The perspective of viewing this world is different for each, but stereotypes created by this world has enabled the person to view it in a definite way.

Are all the Muslims, living in the world terrorist?
OR
All the girls are bad drivers?
OR
Are all the Africans infected by the Ebola virus?

These were some of the questions raised in my mind, and believe me, there are millions of other more like these.

All these questions have only one answer that is NO! A big NO.

Why judge the whole flock of white sheep, just because of one black sheep (bad person). It is an undeniable fact that any group, race or herd have a black sheep in them, but it is also true that judging any particular group just because of a black sheep is also wrong. Stereotypes are a kind of gossip about a certain group of people or a person, gossip is something that makes us prejudge people before we even lay eyes on them.

Why Stereotype Exist?

We tend to stereotype because it helps us make sense of a highly confusing world.


 These abnormal norms created by society has changed a person’s view of seeing everything positively rather every other person is judged for something they do or behave. If a girl and boy are traveling together then they must be a couple dating each other. Oh hello! they can be brother and sister or husband and wife. But an idea of a girl and boy together clicks the image of boyfriend and girlfriend only. This is how negatively these stereotypes are affecting a person’s mind.


Another stereotype is if a girl is 26 and not married the aunties sees them as 62 and too old to get married now. I hate this norm. Like there may be some reason why hasn't she gotten married yet. Maybe she gets the proposals but she got rejected every time because either she is fat, black or not pretty. This is another stereotype we have created that girls should be pretty, have model-like figures, knows all the maid kind work i.e. How to cook, sew, wash, etc. As if you're marrying a robot and not a girl. Deep within her, she is struggling to get married but no we tend to judge her on outside without knowing the real cause.

People who can’t speak English are considered illiterate in Pakistan. Let’s talk about China which is one of the biggest country in the world regarding population, well, most of the people in china cannot speak or even understand English, and like that there are many other countries in the world.

I've also seen some wrong perspectives in the name of stereotypes. People are spreading negativity using the name of stereotype giving their own personal views over an idea or something. I suggest to refrain from such comments or post and don't spread hate over a wrong stereotype.

"Stereotypes develop and persist because they are useful. They reduce the tremendous complexity of the world around us into a few simple guidelines, which we use in our everyday thoughts and decisions. However, the simpler and more convenient the stereotype, the more likely it is to be inaccurate, at least in part." 
-Stuart Oskamp-

Conclusion: -

Stereotypes do exist but we have to walk through them. Don’t let society define who you are. You are one unique self that no one can ever be. It’s the nature of human being to judge and be judged. F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, "Begin with an individual, and before you know it you have created a type; begin with a type, and you find you have created nothing.".


Don’t let yourself fall in the trap of societal norms rather be the one to break the stereotypes. Spread the positive impact around the world about yourself. Because your actions define you not your physical identity. You don't have to prove anyone anything, because Allah has created everyone beautiful just the way they are.

BREAK THE STEREOTYPE!!!!



--Written By Rameen Fatima Basri
-- Edited By Aheed Uddin Basri

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