Stereotypes

Studying in the school library is a very amusing place, because you can see all kinds of stereotypes come to life. I don’t know if it was because I was looking for it or not, but as I was attempting to study for my Holocaust final I looked around me and began to observe. Most of the diligent hard working students were Asian, the ones who seemed to be there more for the social aspect were the Islamic and Muslim people, there were only about 3 white people myself included, and a handful of blacks. As we can see in mostly television there are definite stereotypes that are portrayed, in life but especially in the school setting. There are the jocks, the preps, the geeks, the smart Asians, the possible gang members, and the people who just are either normal or really weird.

The Asians were talking very fast and about very complicated things having to do with math and science. They would look up every so often and smile, then go right on working. The Muslims kept talking loudly no matter that others were studying, and every once and a while they would look down and read for a few minutes. The black people were much like the Muslims but much quieter, and the 3 white people just kind of kept to themselves. In a lot of ways the Asian ‘smart’ stereotype is the most spot on for this observance, and also the white people, or lack thereof. In television shows you hardly ever see white people being extremely studious, it’s always more you do what you need to get by and hope it’s good enough. When I was done observing the people around me, I just had to giggle and think, on the outside our society has come so far, with equal rights, and the abolishment of slavery, but on the inside I fully believe we are still somewhat the same.