Have you ever been stereotyped? Yes, I imagine you have… Now a tougher question: have you ever stereotyped a stranger? We hate to admit it, but most of us (if not all of us) have. Being judged hurts and judging others hurts ourselves. Stereotyping isn’t always a bad thing, but quite often we stereotype someone, label them and then judge them.
Stereotypes integrate into our daily interactions; sometimes we don’t realize we are doing it. When we create this divide between ourselves and others, we build a barrier that keeps us from connecting with each other. It’s time to get smart about the way we think of other people. It’s time to be a little kinder and more understanding of each other and all of our differences.
There are lots of ways that we categorize, stereotype and judge each other. Unfortunately, it’s common to pass judgement based on someone’s perceived income/social class, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability…the list is endless. The truth is underneath all of our differences: we have beating hearts, unique minds and fascinating life stories. The first few times I met my now best friend I thought she was a spoiled brat and she thought I was a flaky hippy. Once we got to know each other beyond appearance and small talk, we became fast friends and still love each other six years later!
So let’s work together to create a culture where we judge less and care more. Set a few goals to help yourself judge less and love more. Below is what I’m going to do in order to stereotype less; feel free to try them yourself!
- Make a list. When you catch yourself judging someone, write it down! I started this recently and I’m not proud of my list, but recognizing when I stereotype will help me think differently in the future.
- Be brave and connect. As long as you’re in a safe environment, feel free to interact with a stranger. Talking and connecting with each other is so important. Challenge yourself; talk to someone you catch yourself stereotyping. Ask them how their day is, comment on the weather. It doesn’t matter what you say; what is important is that you reach out and treat a stranger with kindness.
- Create new stereotypes/judgements. When you find yourself stereotyping, for example when you think, “I bet they’re a horrible driver,” build a positive thought in your mind instead. For example, think to yourself, “I bet they are a wonderful parent” or “They look like a joyful person.”
These goals may seem silly, but they can really help raise your own awareness about when you’re stereotyping, who you are stereotyping and then allowing yourself be brave and be kind. Let’s get smart about how we see other people and create new ways of thinking about and interacting with others.
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