How Can We End Stereotypes?

Maybe we should ask why we stereotype people.

Maybe it's easier and we are too lazy to get to know individuals.

Maybe it just seems true in our experience.

Or maybe we stereotype because we are afraid.

That's why I don't think we can end stereotyping;

Because we can't end fear.

I am not a racist.

If I am alone in a dark alley at night,

And I see a black guy,

I am not going to hang around and chit chat.

I am going to get out.

If I am alone in a dark alley at night,

And I see a white guy,

I am going to get out,

For exactly the same reason.

I am not willing to get mugged or raped to test the stereotype.

Maybe neither of them is a criminal,

But I'm not going to put myself in danger to test that theory.

So maybe stereotyping will end

With trust.

If I'm alone in a dark alley at night,

And I see a black guy,

And the black guy decks the white guy who was going to mug or rape me,

My stereotype will be shattered.

If I'm alone in a dark alley at night,

And both the black guy and the white guy offer to walk me home,

Because it's dark and they want to protect me,

Then I won't need to stereotype anymore.

If all black guys and all white guys - all guys - were good guys,

Girls wouldn't need protective stereotypes.

If all guys and all girls - all people - were good people,

People wouldn't need protective stereotypes.

So if we want to end stereotyping,

We need to be kind, intelligent, decent, good human beings.

If everyone would do that,

Stereotyping would end,

Just like that.