Week 4: Post 3
I think that all the concepts in this chapter are important as well as interesting but the one that stuck out to me the most was the “attitudes that diminish understanding.” I think that just that title should be enough to interest anyone in reading this section. Stereotyping is an awful preconception because many times the stereotype given is not accurate and does not have anything to back it up. An example of a stereotype that I feel very strongly about it that all people from Orange County are just like the people on the show The OC or Laguna Beach. After these shows came out and became popular I stopped telling people I was from there because of the stereotypes that are now placed on everyone who is from Orange County. Of course I have stereotyped people just the same. I have criticized Asians for driving bad although I know not all Asians drive bad because I am Asain =] I have stereotyped blondes as dumb even though that is ignorant of me and so on. We all do it, and we all know it is bad. We should change that so intercultural contact can be liberating rather than frustrating.
posted by Eleanor Rigby @ 4:01 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Speaking of cultures and stereotypes, I wonder how many shared stereotypes can be found within a given culture. The Asian driving stereotype, for example, I feel is a particularly shared stereotype in the bay area and I wonder if one can find this same stereotype amongst other cultures. I also agree with you that stereotypes are barriers to communication and to acceptance of other cultures, and one should strive to minimize the influence of stereotypical thinking and thus, minimize the frustration of inter-culture communication. It just seems interesting, in a way, that it is the shared stereotypes that define a component of a culture.
Well Eleanor,
What can I say. I really like your blog! Yes, stereotyping, I love this topic. My reason is that we are all guilty of doing just this in many different situations. I am glad that you were able to be open able a few that you yourself are guilty of. And I must agree that I am guilty of similar ones. My question is where does these stereotypes come from? Some can be explained but many cannot. Like the driving and Asians, where does that come from? My next question is how do we get rid of them? In my opinion is standing up against them. Calling them out when we hear them or see them taking place. I know many things are easier said then done but its a start. Anyhow, great post.
Stephanie
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