Have you overcome your own stereotyping?

Question

I would like to hear from some people who have overcome their own predjudices. How did you do it? Was there a key peice of information that helped you look at the topic/subject/group differently?

And for those who still hold on to some predjudices, what do you think you would need to overcome them? Is there some information in particular you would like?

Oh I'm not saying I'm predjudice. In fact I have years of experience in multicultural competence. I am just wondering about others experiences.

Answer 1

I have always tried vehemently not to have stereotypes but as I age, I find that stereotypes are applicable in large groups. Not because they are true, just because they become part of the cultural identity. I am an American of Irish descent, most of the time, I don't even think of it, but on St. Patty's Day or in a group of other Irish folks, I find myself being being suddenly very irish. I think that happens with everyone. I believe that we should treat each person with respect and allow them to be who they are. I don't really believe in stereotypes except, like I said, when they become a part of a cultural identity, and then, they should be tolerated and respected, but not expected. I don't suppose this is at all what you are looking for, but I do hope that helps.

Answer 2

Do a character study on persons who belong to that group. If what you find upholds your previous thinking, you're not digging deeply enough. Pretend you're an actor/actress who has to play one of those people as a good person. See what you can find to support that. Figure out why they do what they do, what lies behind it, etc. It's fascinating.

Get to know individuals from the groups against which you hold prejudices. The only way to get over preconceived notions is to really meet the people about whom you hold those notions.

Answer 3

Well, I can't say I've completely overcome my own stereotyping so I'm not really qualified to answer this question. (By the way, I try to be a unprejudiced, tolerant person, but I'm not perfect.) However, I read about a stereotype test that may interest you. My memory is vague, so the details may not be 100% accurate... bear with me...

The subject watched a series of photographs of people's faces. The subject was given a choice of adjectives and had to choose which one to apply to that person. Result: Black faces tended to be labeled negatively.

A black man took the test and was dismayed to discover that he tended to apply negative labels to black faces as well. He decided to take the test multiple times (on different days, not in one sitting) to see if he could overcome his stereotyping and change his results. The results stayed pretty much the same until one day when the labels for black faces became mostly positive.

Why the change? He believed that it was due to watching the Olympics and seeing all of those positive images of accomplished black athletes. So exposure to lots of positive external imagery improved his internal imagery (so to speak).

As for my own stereotyping and prejudices... in This Bridge Called My Back, edited by Cherrie Moraga & Gloria Anzaldua, there's an essay called "We're All in the Same Boat," by Rosario Morales. She says that we all struggle against hate, but we are all sexist and racist. I agree with that; we try to overcome--and it's a worthy effort to try--but we can't really be totally -ism free.

For me, reading books like This Bridge leads me to think about issues and challenge assumptions.

Answer 4

I like my own combination of stereotyping. It took me a lifetime to fine which combination works best for me.

ie1: See a black guy with an ipod on his ears, dancing to the tunes, you can smile and show him some moves.

ie2: See a black guy with saggy pants and a gold teeth, walking with his hands near his crotch, you BEST not show him any moves!

Case in point. Stereotyping is our own quick way of knowing if you're friend or foe. For if you thinkith, doith, so shall you become.

Answer 5

No
There are many many different types of personalities who are judgmental. That is from Carl Jung to be in fact if you have not done enough research on personality types. I of course continue to educate myself on personality types. You have a judging personality type. What do you need to help you get over that? Just because you do not like somebody Else's personality does not give you the right to harass and force them to change who they are because you want them too.