I suppose that in an ideal world, one may look at each other with love and meaning. I imagine a world where people would look upon each other and not see color, gender or race. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. The reality of our lives is the simple fact that we are all different. We are each unique beings born of our creator.
This means that when I look at someone, I will see color. When I look at someone, I will see gender. When I look at someone, I will judge them off their physical features. I assume that in this world, that also makes me a very terrible person.
However, I disagree that I am anything more than human -- negatively affected by a fallen world. The differences that make us who we are do not have to be negative. It should not be taken as hypocritical to look upon another and see difference, but we should rejoice in this. In a society and culture that thrives off individuality, we should then also thrive off our differences both biologically and ideologically. Nevertheless, we only come to bitter arguments and violence.
The problem with being different is that our world places false expectations on how each group of society should act. This is called stereotyping. We are inevitably categorized in our culture by the very characteristics that make us who we are. Our ethnicity, gender, attractiveness, income, education and many more automatically come with an idea of how you are supposed to look, act, and live. We argue over the origins of racism, hate, and poverty but we refuse to consider that this is our own doing.
No, I do not mean we as white America. No, I do not mean wealthy, educated America. We are all stereotyped.
I find it hard to believe that every single African-American born in the ghetto is automatically fatherless, a thug and a criminal. I find it hard to believe that a white family living in a trailer is nothing more than white trash, uneducated, poor, rednecks who will go nowhere in life. Is every guy you meet going to be a hateful jerk? Is every girl you meet going to end up a stay-at-home mom doing chores for her husband and children?
I don't think so. We stereotype every possible aspect of our lives and those around us.
Congratulations to myself. I have pointed out the obvious. While stereotyping is, of course, a problem, it is not the most serious issue at hand. The problem comes with the idea that it is not our fault. We are quick to seek another to blame. We are quick to claim white privilege or say that it is the other person's fault for producing that stereotype. What if we were wrong? What if the problems and the stereotypes that are placed on us are a result of the belief that we are what the world claims us to be -- that the world expects us to be a certain way and there is no way to overcome that? Stereotypes are not just made up. They exist because of actions taken by other people, but that does not mean they have to be yours.
Maybe the only way to get rid of the stereotypes, the racism, and the hate is to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and to see life from another’s perspective. We are not the only people who struggle with how other people view us, no matter who we are. Whether we are black or white, a man or woman, straight or gay, we are all human beings -- no matter our differences. We all have undeniable potential. Why then, do we consider the problems that we face to be someone else’s to take care of? We are all stereotyped. Maybe instead of telling someone else that they need to change, the only way to truly have an impact is by changing who you are. Maybe in order to end racism and hate, we must overcome the societal expectations put upon us. The world will never be perfect and equal. We will never be free of racism, poverty and stereotypes. But that does not mean that you, as an individual, have to continue to live how the world expects you to live.
