You Look Like the Type Who Stereotypes


Stereotypes… where do they come from? Oh, there are so many of them out there. There are stereotypes about gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and age, just to name a few. It’s hard not to stereotype. Even if you feel you are the most liberal person in the world, you have labeled someone without even knowing them. People are conditioned to judge, rather it be for protection or fun.

Here is a list of stereotypes. It makes me a little uncomfortable writing it. Please, do not be offended by the list (which will be pretty hard not to be). If you want to add something, please comment. Get a pen and paper and make a check list to see how many times you’ve thought or said these stereotypes:

1. All men are good at math
2. Men who show emotions are gay
3. White men can only be serial killers
4. White men are the devil
5. White men are afraid of black women
6. The white man always gets paid
7. Black men are the best athletes
8. Black men have “big members”
9. Black people can dance
10. Black people are very religious
11. Black people are the best musicians
12. Black men are criminals
13. Black people are lazy
14. Black people love soul food
15. Black people are family oriented
16. All black people look alike
17. Black women are loud
18. White people can’t dance
19. White people love the word “dude”
20. White people love Rock & Roll music
21. Poor white people always live in trailer parks
22. White people are afraid of black people
23. A woman turns lesbian due to a man treating her badly
24. Asians are always smart
25. Asians have “small members”
26. Asians have no social life
27. Asians eat cats and dogs
28. Asians are experts on violin and piano
29. All Asians look alike
30. Asians are technically advanced
31. Arabs are cheap
32. Arabs are terrorist
33. Arabs are always doctors
34. Christians are homophobic
35. French people are romantic
36. Irish people love beer
37. Italians are racist
38. Germans are Nazis
39. Mothers are suppose to clean the house
40. Old people are pushy
41. Gay man are promiscuous
42. All Indians work in 24 hour convenient stores
43. Jewish people are greedy
44. Blonde women are stupid
45. Jamaicans love weed
46. A woman is a bitch if she speaks her mind
47. Republics don’t care about poor people
48. Liberals are all bisexual
49. All men want to get in her pants
50. Young people don’t know what’s good for them
51. Rich people are pretentious
52. Mexicans are all illegal immigrants
53. Mexicans are good at soccer
54. Virgins are sheltered
55. Italians are all part of the mafia
56. Models are all dumb
57. Ugly people have good personalities
58. Black people love chicken
59. Black people love kool-aid
60. Bisexuals are confused
61. Single women want to be rescued
62. Gay people love theater
63. Hispanic people are always in gangs
64. Chinese people always own laundry mats
65. Japanese people love rice
66. Japanese people have no eyes
67. Japanese people are always happy
68. Japanese people are all ninjas
69. Fat people have big bones
70. Fat black women like dirty sex
71. Fat people smell
72. Thin people only eat lettuce
73. Thin people are anorexic or bulimic
74. Black men always pay child support
75. All gay men have a lisp
76. All black women wear weave
77. Black people are always late
78. White women have eating disorders
79. White people don’t have a sense of rumor
80. All Latino men are construction workers
81. Latinos have greasy hair
82. All black people live in the ghetto
83. Black people use too much slang
84. All men watch Sunday night football
85. Asians love tofu
86. All men cheat
87. Old people are rude
88. Gay people love techno
89. Black men cherish white women
90. White men love golf
91. White women can get any man they want
92. White women are crazy
93. White women are pushovers
94. White women use the word “like” twice in every sentence
95. White people always go to therapy
96. White people think the world revolves around them
97. Black women are stubborn
98. Black people don’t go to college
99. Black men love big butts
100. Old women have cats


I think I will stop at 100, even though I can go on and on. Do stereotypes have truth behind them or are they built to make people feel bad or good about themselves? Do people conform to stereotypes or are stereotypes formed by people… or both? Are they harmless? You tell me.

What Does Womanhood Mean to Me?

What does womanhood mean to me? I’ve never been asked this question by anyone. Come to think of it, I’ve never even asked myself this question. In this modern day and age, it is quite difficult to establish a concrete definition for womanhood. Is it the state of being a woman, the characteristics or qualities of a woman, or women considered as a group? From these questions, more questions arrive, such as at what age does womanhood begin? Does the definition change if you are a gay or bisexual woman? There are many answers to these questions, which are all correct ones, but the most important answer that houses all of these answers is as followed: Womanhood is you.

It makes me upset when someone tries to tell me a woman’s role in today’s society. Through my eyes, I see many types of woman; White women, Black women, Hispanic women, thin women, shy women, pretty women, short women… should I continue? One answer to “what is womanhood” does not rule over another. So, if you ask me, personally, “what does womanhood mean to me,” then this is what it is. Literally, this is what it is. I am womanhood. I am a twenty-four year old African-American woman who has just graduated college and is now in pursuit of her career dream. I have brown eyes, brown hair, and have two noticeable beauty marks on the left side of my face. I have two other beauty marks on my body that I paid for (tattoos, and I am working on getting a third). I am happy being me and I hope the best for me. I also hope you see what I am, but if not, no worries. Now I understand why I’ve never even asked myself what the definition of womanhood is. I don’t feel the need to define myself.

Being in a White Man's World

Being in a white man's world. This post may be a little controversial but I'm willing to take that risk. Please make comments.


October 8, 2008

Mr. White Man
Ruler of the World Inc.
192 Everywhere Blvd.
Whatashame, NY 10808

Dear Mr. White Man,

I was looking at your website, www.MyWorld.com, and stumbled upon the entry level position at your company. The position you are looking to fill states that you are looking for candidates with strong written and oral communication. Let me take a few paragraphs to tell you why I am a perfect candidate for this job.

When I was younger, I would always look out the car window while my mother was driving and be mesmerized by all the businessmen in their perfectly tailored suits and sleek leather suitcases. I learned from early on that success in the real world can only be gained by imitation of those you look up to. Now that I am older, I look back and think that that... is all BS.

First, there is a clear difference between your and my definition of the real world. In your tiny little real world, your definition includes everyone having a fair shot at capturing their career goals. If I had an equal shot at capturing my career goals as you, why does it feel like I am working tenfold at landing the same positions?

In my real world, every time I send out an application, send out my resume, send out my cover letter, go on an interview, or send out a thank you letter, I have to be reminded that I am a black female that has to prove that she belongs at your company. I’m not talking about proving myself through qualifications, education, skills, and certifications; I’m talking about proving myself beyond my “on paper” profile. I have to prove that I am comfortable with myself in a room full of white male employees, which is hard to accomplish being that I am constantly the big purple elephant in every interview room. I have to prove that I was accepted into college because of my grades and not only because of affirmative action. I have to cover up that I am a black female in your real world, even if it is written all over my face.

I read that you are an equal opportunity employer. When you read my name at the top of my resume, you wouldn’t think twice about what race I am? If the name on my resume was Susan, I would be called for an interview with no questions asked. I am not saying that I don’t get interviews but I am not blind when I see all the Laurens and Bobs waiting to go into an interview before me. Please, don’t tell me that you are so sick of seeing the race card thrown up whenever it comes to the professional world and the African American community. This is not a defense mechanism in case I do not receive a callback from your company. I am confident that I am a perfect candidate for this position and if I don’t receive a callback, I know that I was cheated out of a job and the job has gone to a white male candidate with lesser or equal qualifications as mine.

I believe thus far I have proven my written ability, and if given the chance, I can most certainly prove my oral communication. Thank you for taking the time out to read this letter. Please do not hesitate contacting me. My e-mail address is Thanks4Nothing@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Lailaa