First Check Me Out !
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
