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Stereotypes. Let's face
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Stereotypes. Let's face
Stereotypes. Let's face it, they're all around us. Americans are overweight and lazy. Asians are extremely smart and masters of the piano, both things enforced by their easily-angered mother. As untrue as those stereotypes are, the media forces us to think those things. What do you think when you see someone clad in all black with platform boots? Oh, that's a "goth". Your typical bubbly pre-teen with name brand everything? What a "prep!" The most offensive one, in my opinion, is "emo." Take it from soneone who knows. The term "emo" means emotional, right? Yeah, no. It actually means emotive hardcore, a sub-genre of punk which originated in the 90's with bands like Fugazi and Sunny Day Real Estate. Today, it means a completely different thing. It could mean pop-rock, like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. Take it from a huge MCR fan, they share none of the characteristics with the 90's definition. Well, alright. I could forgive that. It's the other definition that's the reason behind this boring rant. To many kids, emo means skinny jeans, band t-shirts, and Converse. I have to admit, I have a simulaur style. But that's all it is. A style. Not a way of life. No, side bangs are no reason to cut yourself. Nope, studded belts don't genreally make you miserable. To the people asking so-called "emos" why the don't go cut themselves, maybe it's because they have no reason to do so. If they do, you probably aren't helping matters. Basically, these "emo" or "scene" kids are just people wanting to fit in. Don't we all?
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So yeah, that was my rant. Hopefully, it taught you something. Leave a comment, what's your stereotype? Apparently, mine is "scene". According to them, it's "like emo, but you don't cut yourself." Yay. -_-
submitted by Mathilda B.
(July 23, 2011 - 11:54 pm)
(July 23, 2011 - 11:54 pm)
At school, I'm generally known as "the Smart Girl." This is a typical conversation between me and my friend:
Friend: How was that English test?
Leaf: Eh, not that bad.
Friend: *eyebrow raise* Oh? Well, you're Leaf. You probably got 100. I have to find someone else to ask.
Nerd, talented, smart person... It gets old, really. I'm not complaining too much though, because at least I'm not discriminated against or anything terrible. Sterotypes can be awful, and I just have one based on my... talents? Good qualities? Sometimes I'm a dork, the kind of person at which people just shake their heads in confusion.
I hate stereotypes. I hate people judging other people. It's just awful. The music summer camp I go to is fantastic, because there are people from all over the world and country there and we're all playing music together. It's a great place to realize that stereotypes are stupid and everyone's unique and wonderful. Last year, there was this boy there who was from Dallas and, I admit it, didn't look particularly musical. And then he played his cello. ...I was blown away. This year, there was this guy who wore his pants low and wore baseball caps and then *whoop* I started judging him a bit. Then I actually met him and talked to him (it turned out that he was in one of my chamber groups) and he was one of the sweetest guys the world will ever know. (Well, I don't know about that, but he was just so nice.) That is why I'm working so much harder on not judging people ever for their looks or their behavior or anything. In English class, we had this whole debate on stereotypes, because we were reading The Outsiders (a marvelous book, by the way) and many people had stories like mine, where someone was judged, but then actually was a great person. If we all have these stories, can't we (and me included) learn not to judge? It seems that we really have nothing really to go on. I wish we could.
(Spamboy says: ugrh. Sounds like "urgh" to me, and yes Spamboy, I agree. Stereotypes are just so frustrating, aren't they?)
(July 25, 2011 - 8:41 am)
It seems that this discussion has turned to judging people by their appearances. People are quick to judge appearances, because appearances are first impressions. While a lot of the time people are wrong when it comes to judging someone just by the way they dress, appearances do give a little insight to the personality of someone. But back to stereotypes, it bugs me so much when you tell someone you're homeschooled and they either give a fake smile (haha, I laugh in their face) or say, "Oh." We're happy! That's where they go so wrong. They think we're cursed or something, but no, we have a good education, and we're happy with it. I speak for myself, at least. I'm sure some of you will agree.
(July 25, 2011 - 9:16 pm)
I see your point. I've gone to public school my whole life, and sometimes it sounds like it would be amazing to be homeschooled. -_-
(July 25, 2011 - 10:24 pm)
I don't know my stereotype, I've never had my clothing style appraised in that manner... -.-
But I have a feeling I wouldn't fit into any of the usual categories. What do you call a person who wears skirts or sweatpants all the time, no makeup whatsoever, and slip-on walking shoes. Has realllllllllly long hair. Dresses in vibrant colors. And reads all the time. And doesn't swear. Whose best subject is English, is writing a novel, and definitely doesn't fall into the Tecchie category. Who doesn't like boys. Draws, but not Anime. Isn't Asian.
I think I've successfully avoided all the main categories, don't you? O.o
(July 30, 2011 - 12:16 am)
You can share a category with me. :)
(July 30, 2011 - 2:03 pm)
If anyone asks who's the smartest in the class/group/school and they know me, the answer's always me. They say it in a nice way, but it gets annoying. That's not really a stereotype, but it's kind of like one.
(July 30, 2011 - 4:29 pm)
Yeah, stereotypes get me annoyed too...I mean, I wear skirts all the time, I am a complete nerd, I don't do amusement parks, I am Catholic, I don't like pop music, I love to read, I actually care about school- and almost all the kids in my homeschool group assume that I'm a complete dork/dweeb/nerd/geek. Do they care that I'm actually not a dork/dweeb? Can they look below the surface, or does my academic prowess and reading propensity scare them away? Needless to say, I'm a loner....
(July 30, 2011 - 5:21 pm)
My stereotype: smart, smart. SMART girl. I have acne, and everyone acts like they don't KNOW what acne is, and it's SO annoying. I know NOTHING about fashion, and my sister LOVES Abercrombie. My mom freaks out if i get a B on my report card (often, but always math) and she makes me do a STUPID math tutoring thingy. I only have 3 friends. I get angry easily. What's Rachel's Challenge???? My name is Maggie. Any other ideas what else my stereotype might be???
(July 31, 2011 - 8:06 am)
Rachel's Challenge is a challenge started by a girl named Rachel Scott. She wrote an essay about the value of starting a chain reaction by using random acts of kindness, and reaching out to strangers. Unfortunatly, she died in a shooting. :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:( Everyone at our school who wants to participate signs a poster and makes a commitment to banish stereotypes, set goals, spread positive gossip, start a chain reaction, and forgive. There is also a large multimedia presentation that we watch as well. Very sad and inspiring. :(:(:(
(July 31, 2011 - 2:41 pm)
What is my stereotype? I read a lot. I talk a lot. I watch pretty loud and action packed movies. I know a whole lot about electronics. I make the honor roll, and am probably one of the best in my class. I like languages. I'm bad in math. My feelings get mixed up. I wear earrings every day, and I wish I could have new shoes (converse, to be precise).
re: Rachel Scott- How old was she? Did this happen recently?
(August 2, 2011 - 3:06 am)
No, it happened a while ago...I think it was in 1998...she was 18, I believe.
(August 2, 2011 - 11:42 am)
Oh my... That's awful!
(August 4, 2011 - 7:54 am)