Why do people think that someone's race totally defines their personality, or how sucessful they will be?

Question

Why do people define other people just by their race? its stupid why should my colour define who i am, im much more defined by my horoscope or where i come from. Why do people do this, is based on ignorance, or is this labelling designed to keep some races down or am i wrong. Is it that every race , has an exact way how they're are supposed to act.

Also what do you think most defines you? e.g. colour creed location etc

Answer 1

Society is a cruel standard of 'deception' that brainwashed us into stereotyping everyone of different races.
The 'ignorant' ones are the ones who pipe up and have a belief that anyone outside their color is not as successful, just because of their color. But then you see these ignorant idiots' lifestyle, and backgrounds. They come from a long line of families who have always stereotyped society by their color.
It's not right to judge someone by their color, but it happens, and it's more common now, than ever.
I'm Native American, and I am also a woman, which really makes me a prime target in racial slurs and ignorance when it comes to "who" I am, because of my color. People have this fascination with depicting my whole history and my upbringing, and seem to know everything about me, including my future, and they haven't even MET me yet!! Its' pathetic and I don't listen to those who carry on about what 'other races' are about, or their lack of intellect, etc. I don't like to hear about stereotyping, because I'm a very open individual, who feels EVERYONE has it in them to succeed in whatever they do! It's not based on color! It's based on the individual, and their determination to succeed!

Answer 2

You answered your own question. Most bigots are stupid and most are so lacking in self esteem they need to look down on some chosen group or person.

Sometimes it's ignorance, but most often it's behavior learned from parents who are the same way. Little children who aren't indoctrinated to hate get along with other children no matter what race or creed. Sometimes growing up is not a good thing in some ways.

What defines me is the person inside and my values, not the externals. How we treat each other is what should matter, not superficial differences.

Answer 3

This is the old way of thinking, from the older people trying to get everyone to think like them, prejudice. It is so in-grained in people that it will never truly go away. I would not say that I am prejudice but sometime I too judge people incorrectly and I am not proud of myself. I am Hispanic/Caucasian so I really am a hypocrite if I was to label people but I don't believe in a horoscope to define me. There are a lot of people who do believe in it though, I am more defined by my moral values and my education.

Answer 4

It's a simple generalization.
When you look around and you see oriental (yes not asian. I'm asian and not oriental) students studying and taking the hard courses, engineering, medical, physics and such, you make a general statement of observation about all orientals.
The most visible representations of a race's or nationality's people, is what causes the generalization.
Since most people self-segregate themselves to people of the same race/religion/nationality one doesn't see all the other representatives of said race/religion/nationality (r/r/n).
If you are more than a child in school, look around yourself and count your friends that do not share your r/r/n. It's not designed to keep people down, it's just the way that it is.

Answer 5

let's use the african-american culture for example (even though this could go for any race.)
usually one race of people are populated into one specific area, like the african-americans choose the city because thats where they feel most comfortable, around their "own kind."
so they keep to themselves and sponge off of each others ideas and dont move or repopulate in another area, so eerything stays the same.
That atleast explains the personality part of you question.
as for the being successful part, it just depends on the person whos accepting job applications :-]

Answer 6

My genetic make-up, upbringing, environment and day to day experiences defines who I am, it's got nothing to do with my skin tone. BUT for some, appearance does matter. Just look how extremely overweight and extremely unattractive people are treated - much worse than any single race.

Answer 7

I think you define yourself with your personality. I have known many different races that looked past race, and succeeded because they were intelligent, and wanted what they were aiming for. Sounds like your letting negativity, and excuses stand in your way of that.

Answer 8

The question is nonsense. People do not define others by race alone.
Oh, I forgot, some idiots do that.

Answer 9

Not to be racist, but I always thought that it was only a stereotype that latin girls will end up pregnant before they graduate high school. Until I started to know more and more girls who fit that stereotype. Does your race cause you to have a propensity for certain things...no! Will choosing a person at random from a race likely result in certain features...I guess they don't call them stereotypes for nothin.

Answer 10

Clearly you lack pride in you ethnicity and maybe even ashamed by it. You define you not other people and if someone think they know you better than you know yourself based on what they heard or seen in others set them straight. I define me. Always have, always will. Peace!