Who to blame for stereotyping...

Ever hear of the idea that some people give whatever kind of group they belong to (whether religious, racial, etc.) a "bad name?"

For my 2400th post I figured I'd post about the implications of this idea. Basically, rather than focusing the blame for stereotypes on the people expressing the stereotypes, it diverts some (and maybe a lot) of it towards people who just so happen to embody the stereotypes.

But when you really think about it, there's all kinds of ways to "group" people, and in turns all kinds of ways to stereotype... by what standards, then, do we decide which stereotypes it is appropriate to use phrases like "you give them a bad name" for?

i don't think it's wrong to stereotype, depending on what the stereotype is. for example, if i see a black person, i don't think it would be wrong to just assume he listens to rap, because there's probably a pretty good chance that he does. however, i do think it would be wrong to assume he would commit a crime or something.

Stereotypes like what a person listens to based on his appearance, that asians probably use chopsticks and that most brown people are Islamic or Hindus are not hurtful IMO.

One's where you assume that all chinese person eat dogs, blacks are gonna steal your car and all mexicans are illegal immigrants are.

i don't think it's wrong to stereotype, depending on what the stereotype is. for example, if i see a black person, i don't think it would be wrong to just assume he listens to rap, because there's probably a pretty good chance that he does. however, i do think it would be wrong to assume he would commit a crime or something.

needled24-7

Stereotypes like what a person listens to based on his appearance, that asians probably use chopsticks and that most brown people are Islamic or Hindus are not hurtful IMO.

One's where you assume that all chinese person eat dogs, blacks are gonna steal your car and all mexicans are illegal immigrants are.

Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. urdead18

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

but everybody does it regardless

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. iBear-

but everybody does it regardless

I never stereotype anyone.

I wouldn't want someone generalizing me by the way I look, talk, or walk... so I don't judge others based on their appearance or traits.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. urdead18

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. matthayter700

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

I think your trying to be to PC if a guy is wearing a Tupac shirt I'm going to assume he likes Tupac. You can control what you wear.

[QUOTE="bobaban"][QUOTE="urdead18"] If I see a guy with long hair, spiked bracelets and is wearing all black I'm not going to assume he listens to rap but more likely metal or something.

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

FrostyPhantasm

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. matthayter700

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"][QUOTE="bobaban"] Yes of course it is. Looks =/= personality. bobaban

[QUOTE="needled24-7"]

i don't think it's wrong to stereotype, depending on what the stereotype is. for example, if i see a black person, i don't think it would be wrong to just assume he listens to rap, because there's probably a pretty good chance that he does. however, i do think it would be wrong to assume he would commit a crime or something.

matthayter700

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="needled24-7"]

i don't think it's wrong to stereotype, depending on what the stereotype is. for example, if i see a black person, i don't think it would be wrong to just assume he listens to rap, because there's probably a pretty good chance that he does. however, i do think it would be wrong to assume he would commit a crime or something.

needled24-7

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"][QUOTE="bobaban"] Yes of course it is. Looks =/= personality. bobaban

[QUOTE="bobaban"]

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"] If you're offended by that, you are ontop of an extremely tall horse. That is not offensive at all, if a guy comes up to me and is all "Hey you probably listen to metal!" i'm not going to slap him and run away. FrostyPhantasm

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="urdead18"] If I see a guy with long hair, spiked bracelets and is wearing all black I'm not going to assume he listens to rap but more likely metal or something.

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

I think your trying to be to PC if a guy is wearing a Tupac shirt I'm going to assume he likes Tupac. You can control what you wear.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. urdead18

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

You can't make assumations like that based on skin color.

By the way, since when did it become so offensive to tell someone they look like they listen to metal?urdead18

i don't know what vitriolic means, but i don't think it isn't logical to stereotype someone based off their looks. like one guy that posted, if i see a guy wearing black and leather and spikes, i'm going to assume that he listens to metal, and i'll probably be right. tell me, if you see someone that looks like this (guy on the right), would you not think he's a stoner?needled24-7

EDIT: As far as I know, "vitriolic" is a reference to vitriol, as in sulfuric acid, a severely corrosive acid. The idea is that the more "vitriolic" claims are the ones that are more hurtful, whereas this subject was more so about the logic itselfwhen it comes tostereotypes... and for that matter, about whether it's fair to blame individuals who happen to embody the stereotype.

And by the way, on what basis do you claim that you'd be "right" to assume they listened to metal?

[QUOTE="FrostyPhantasm"][QUOTE="bobaban"] Personally I wouldn't care because I expect such treatment from majority of people. Everyone these days is so concerned with form and identity, I wear black - so I must listen to metal? No that's BS, I felt like wearing all black today and tommorow I'll wear purple and pink, so I must be gay now.

bobaban

Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.bobaban

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.matthayter700

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

But in general and how it carries out practically, it does to an extent. (I'm being down to earth, here)

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.matthayter700

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.matthayter700

[QUOTE="urdead18"]

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. bobaban

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.matthayter700

You must not get out very much

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="bobaban"]Ok, if the band is on the shirt then it IS safe to assume that he likes that particular band.iBear-

You must not get out very much

Giving a bad name to a group only works when the group has a definate way of defining who is part of the group. Therefore it dosn't work for stereyotypes though it can work for nationalities or religons, it can in some circumstances sort of apply to stereotypes ie "you give people who listen to x a bad name" or "you give people who play x a bad name" but then it is about something definate.markop2003

[QUOTE="iBear-"]

[QUOTE="matthayter700"] Not really, because someone could've gotten that shirt as a birthday present, and they might be wearing it to show appreciation. Again, the problem is with jumping to conclusions.matthayter700

You must not get out very much

im sorry but its just so obvious

i honestly envision everyone gs forums as a white young male (13-25) so i mean what can ya do? stereotypes really are just a product of laziness on the part of everyone because i don't think there's a single person who is entirely free of them. i mean i truly love everyone no matter what even if i lock my doors when a homeless person walks by...Zcrimson07

Me as well.. add in living in a suburban area to it. I assume many people are sheltered here especially due to some of the responses they give for certain topics.

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="iBear-"]

You must not get out very much

im sorry but its just so obvious

[QUOTE="iBear-"]

[QUOTE="matthayter700"] ... you respond to a remark about jumping to conclusions by... jumping to conclusions. Congratulations. :roll:matthayter700

im sorry but its just so obvious

What you were basically saying previously was. "if they're wearing a shirt for a band we can't assume that they like the band, that would be stereotyping".

That's just plain stupid. I shouldn't have to explain that.

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="iBear-"]

im sorry but its just so obvious

What you were basically saying previously was. "if they're wearing a shirt for a band we can't assume that they like the band, that would be stereotyping".

That's just plain stupid. I shouldn't have to explain that.

[QUOTE="bobaban"]Its wrong to assume anything about a person based on looks period. Regardless if you're right or wrong. urdead18

This is not wrong and offensive in any way.

[QUOTE="iBear-"]

[QUOTE="matthayter700"] In what sense, and why?matthayter700

What you were basically saying previously was. "if they're wearing a shirt for a band we can't assume that they like the band, that would be stereotyping".

That's just plain stupid. I shouldn't have to explain that.

So you're banking on the fact that every once and awhile somebody wears a shirt that they borrowed from a friend of a band that they personally dislike? If i see somebody with the shirt of a band I like, I'm gonna walk up to them and say hey nice shirt, you like them too? And I won't be too afraid to talk to them because I'm worried that it might not be theres.

I don't really even know what you were arguing about in the first place, it just seemed funny to me that it sounded like you thought that you were taking the high road by not stereotyping/judging anyone. We all do it.

[QUOTE="iBear-"]

[QUOTE="matthayter700"] In what sense, and why?matthayter700

What you were basically saying previously was. "if they're wearing a shirt for a band we can't assume that they like the band, that would be stereotyping".

That's just plain stupid. I shouldn't have to explain that.

i think what people are trying to get through in thier arguments is its a situation by situation basis whether its ok to assume something about someone.

my example: you see a guy running down the street with a gun in his hand, accourding to your proposed logic of not jumping to conclusions, stereotyping or assuming anything about him. i cantbelive he has a gun becausehe may have just or is about to commit a crime, and therefore shouldnt report it to the police because i dont know the entirereason for him doing this very suspicious and likely criminal behaviour.

[QUOTE="matthayter700"][QUOTE="iBear-"]

What you were basically saying previously was. "if they're wearing a shirt for a band we can't assume that they like the band, that would be stereotyping".

That's just plain stupid. I shouldn't have to explain that.

cornholio157

i think what people are trying to get through in thier arguments is its a situation by situation basis whether its ok to assume something about someone.

my example: you see a guy running down the street with a gun in his hand, accourding to your proposed logic of not jumping to conclusions, stereotyping or assuming anything about him. i cantbelive he has a gun becausehe may have just or is about to commit a crime, and therefore shouldnt report it to the police because i dont know the entirereason for him doing this very suspicious and likely criminal behaviour.

I don't really even know what you were arguing about in the first place, it just seemed funny to me that it sounded like you thought that you were taking the high road by not stereotyping/judging anyone. We all do it.iBear-