Stereotypes

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And now time for another unwanted opinion/post by me. Please excuse any racism perceived, it is used only for example and is not the point.

Stereotypes. We all make/use them. I think most of us agree they are bad to use, and of course are false.

But wait.. a Stereotype is a generalization of a group of people.

"A stereotype is used to categorize a group of people. People don't understand that type of person, so they put them into classifications, thinking that everyone who is that needs to be like that, or anyone who acts like their classifications is one. A term used to define all people of a certain belief into a mostly negative category that may only reflect a selected few of the racial demographics. All people of all nationalities have been victims of being stereotyped, even those whom have made most of the stereotypes of other people. " - Urban Dictionary

So, a stereotype has to come from somewhere. For example, its not like Americans just made up the stereotype that all Asians talk a certain way. It came from somewhere. That means at least one Asian acted in such a way at some point in front of foreigners and thus, although it was wrong, gave the observing culture an impression. As we all know first impressions are important.

Lets take more examples:

The Stereotype for Goths are black clothes, black makeup, depressed, hated by society.
The Stereotype for Punks are mohawks, spikes, chains, menace to society, always getting in trouble.
That all white women have flat booties.
That all Jews are greedy.
That all blacks are lazy, on welfare, and don't believe in marriage before child barring.
That all Asians are good at math.
That all Arabs are angry people that like to blow s**t up.
That ALL black men are hung like elephants.

This list goes on. I can even use one that hits closer to this group: All Aspies are MR/All kids with Autism are "speds" (sped is a stereotype/grouping of its own that I won't even get into >.>)


So heres my questions to you fine folks:

Have you use stereotypes to classify somebody or some group before?
Have you been labeled through a stereotype?
Do you agree with any stereotypes of a group?
Do you think stereotype are in general more right or more wrong when describing a group (your opinion, I won't flame, I am curious to know what people think)

Does hating every human including yourself to the point that, if you had Strangelove's doomsday device you would press the red button count ? (Used to think that way when I was depressive for hated everyone including myself)


Other then that I don't use wide generalization in other way then to express a point of view that would be too complicated to explain without said generalization, but I in no way generalize when I use it so, too bad generalization is often used has in derogatory term which make it walking on thin ice not using it that way.


But when ranting I admit I can come to use generalization in offensive way.

Like that time someone told me to go kill myself and I asked him back if he was too lazy to do it. Then he answered that he was too rich to do other's dirty job. So final answer was:
-Good to know you are a spoiled brat who only got money because mommy and daddy happen to have some, cause people yapping like you are who can't do dirty work and saying they rich at 20 other then that category are quite rare.

That line is about the kind of offensive generalization I can use but only do so has a counter attack to people using offensive language in the first place.

I am tired of the stereotype that all Christians and/or people who vote Republican are intolerant pricks.

Fair enough, and thanks for the response.

I was more referring to using such a method as a first way rather then a counter. Sounds like you used it in "self defense" so to speak.

My point of posting this was to see how many Aspies who so claim to hate labels/groups use them themselves when referring to others.

I see some steoreotypes about NTs on Wrongplanet sometimes.

I see more then I would like. We claim (some of us) that we are more tolerent etc. This is proven not so much by the stereotypes you mention.

... in converse proportion to our self-awareness!

I don't like the stereotype that all overweight people are dumb, lazy, unhealthy slobs who are ugly. I'm healthy, I work, I get around town on my own two feet, without getting tired, just fine. I'm also not a slob, in fact I will be cleaning and tidying my apartment, tomorrow. I'm also not dumb by any means. I'm also very attractive, inside and out.

Care to post some "False" statements on neurotypicals/examples please?

At some point I will look around the forum. I do not have any posts bookmarked, but I have read several different threads to this effect. I get the feeling your challenging me so I'll back down though.

Sure. People here seem to think that all NTs are evil people out to make your life hell, and that we are superior beings. I see it far too often. I don't know where you're coming from disputing it.

^ NT's are not "evil."

My son's dad is not on the spectrum as such, and is classified as a human first and NT second...and he is one of the most caring and decent and incredible people i have ever met. I feel truly honoured that he is my son's dad. He is so very committed to parenting his son in a manner that is engaged, educational, compassionate and also disciplining and loving.

I think you misread. The poster above you said:

"People here seem to think that all NTs are evil people out to make your life hell, and that we are superior beings. I see it far too often. I don't know where you're coming from disputing it."

He was saying that a general opinion on WP seems to be anti-NT. He is not saying NT's are evil.

my statement is meant to infer agreement, but without a literal statement as such.
It is an open and dynamic reply.....

No posts are unwanted. It is those who have the courage to post who make this forum work. Just sayin'.



1) Sure. Everytime I'm driving and some old person is going 20 below the speed limit, I'm known to make a stereotypical comment.

2) Many, many times. I fall into so many stereotypes that I'm begrudged to admit it. I am a single mother, I'm on welfare. I'm black. That's enough to fuel enough stereotypes for anyone who wants to use one. There are, of course, many reasons why I am such. But those who want to stereotype me don't care about the circumstances. So I won't bother to explain them.

3) I agree with some. If they didn't have a basis in truth they wouldn't exist. But I don't believe you can group all people into one, simple easy, category. Life is so much more complex than that. It's ignorant to think otherwise.

4) Right or wrong, in essence, has little to do with stereotyping. That is why it's a stereotype. It's a basic assumption that requires little thought to the realities of life. If a person could be 'bothered' to think deeper, it wouldn't be a stereotype.

No I wasn't. Sorry if I seemed 'aggressive'