Stereotypes.. - Page 3

I was once asked by an American guy what where we kept our elephants. I looked at him with the utmost straight and serious face and replied "That is what we use the hangars in our airport for". Sarcasm is the best weapon for ignorance, IMO.

Have some errands to run now. More on stereotype from me later.

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

Sarcasm is the best weapon for ignorance, IMO.

Yes. I use that often too in such situations and also over-sensitivity doesn't help in such matters.

In the simplest sense stereotypes are neither ignorant or malicious, but human nature. We like to oversimplify and generalize things. We like to set reference points and examples. Stereotypes can be positive like 'Asians are math geniuses' or negative like 'All Italians run the mob'. When we see a pattern in a community or have repeated experiences we tend to form a stereotype of the whole group based on the few experiences.

I think stereotypes when taken with a good sense of humor and an open mind can be a positive thing. It teaches you to laugh at yourself, look at the absurdities in our life, the diversities of the world and basically see what a strange planet this earth is. If the stereotyping is due to ignorance, do not get upset but take it in good humor and help the person overcome ignorance than get mad and leave both of you in bad taste.

When used with a malicious manner, it is demeaning, insulting, hurtful and downright wrong. Don't ever use stereotypes for putting down or demeaning somebody and don't take such stereotyping either.

Here is a clip from N**ger W**back C**nk a program performed across the states in schools and universities to promote diversity and understanding.(Warning:Mild explicit language)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12CrpigM9Vs

Natalie Portman and Sarah Silverman two people who are great at making fun of stereotypes and breaking them. (Warning: Explicict lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF81-dHxVwU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsKblciD7U0