A stereotype is defined as a known public belief about a certain group of people or a type of individual. Stereotyping is another form of bullying and is also driven by racism and hatred for a culture or certain group. Stereotyping puts people in a box and gives them false ideas about who certain groups are before even meeting them. Once this false idea is made, it is very hard to change people’s preconceived notions.
Recently, with the crisis in Paris, Islamophobia has risen around the globe. People are blaming Muslims for the acts a handful of extremists committed and it is inaccurate. Society has created the idea that all Muslims are terrorists based off attacks that a small group committed, but sadly, the rest are harassed and judged. Terrorism has no religion or race; a terrorist’s sole interest is to spread terror around the world. No religion teaches people to be a terrorist, no religion teaches people to be inhuman towards another, and no religion teaches hatred.
I went around and spoke to a few people about their thoughts on Islamophobia. The one who caught my attention the most was a 17-year-old girl (who wished to remain anonymous), she spoke about the bullying she has received lately for wearing her hijab. It is a proud symbol of her religion, yet she is judged for wearing it. At school she has received multiple stares, has been called a terrorist and has been judged by spectators around her. The girl told me, “I know they (people around the globe) are scared about what happened, but it’s not our (Muslims) fault.” The sadness in her voice spoke the truth. It is not a culture’s fault for something a terrorist organization is doing, the real blame should be on those causing the destruction.
It is time to ignore the stereotypes created way back when. In times of crisis and hardships blaming those who have caused no harm will only bring more separation amongst people. Showing bigotry towards a specific group of people will just cause more tension and will make things worse. Instead, it is time to look forward to a new time and stop stereotypes as it is before it gets worse and an extremist hurts someone based on their religion again as it has happened many times already.
Every religion and culture has its extremists, but it’s up to the people to remember that not everyone in that religion or that culture has to do with the extremist. Just how all Christians are not seen as KKK activist despite their radical ideas, Muslims should not be stereotyped as Terrorists.
It is 2015 and if we want to make the next generation a better one it is time to stop stereotyping and judging others because of where they are from. Instead we must all join hands and fight against it. If someone is being harassed because of their culture, stand up for them. Be a hero... not for yourself, but for them as well. If we stand up against stereotyping, then it would slowly dissipate. With time, but we can do it.
