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Up until fairly recently, I'd always thought racial stereotypes were produced by a combination of Hollywood shorthand and intellectual laziness. Being in a much more ethnically diverse place than in the past, I'm starting to wonder about that.
When I'm deciding what I think of a person, pigment is not even on the assessment list. I assess on intelligence, attitude, sense of humor, character, etc. So for me, it's distressing to see people doing their best to live down to the stereotypes generally associated with their [race|color|orientation|whatever]. Why provide ammo to the David Dukes of the world?
Classic example of this occurred yesterday, at 99ยข [for non-USians, this is a discount store. Items are X number for 99 cents US currency]. Two people in front of me in line, black woman doing her best "gangsta ghetto grrrl" pitching a bitch fit first over prices, then over alleged short-changing. This collides with Asian checker doing her best "Dragon Lady" impression (very snappish, strident, etc.).
This was NOT pretty to have to watch or listen to. Gangsta Ghetto Grrrl "won" in that she was handed four more dollars, after much yelling, accusing, cursing, etc. Dragon Lady "won" in that she got rid of the problem "customer".
As for other customers in that line, the store management, etc.? Pretty clear loss for all bystanders in this, including yet another reduction in my general opinion of humanity.
When I'm deciding what I think of a person, pigment is not even on the assessment list. I assess on intelligence, attitude, sense of humor, character, etc. So for me, it's distressing to see people doing their best to live down to the stereotypes generally associated with their [race|color|orientation|whatever]. Why provide ammo to the David Dukes of the world?
Classic example of this occurred yesterday, at 99ยข [for non-USians, this is a discount store. Items are X number for 99 cents US currency]. Two people in front of me in line, black woman doing her best "gangsta ghetto grrrl" pitching a bitch fit first over prices, then over alleged short-changing. This collides with Asian checker doing her best "Dragon Lady" impression (very snappish, strident, etc.).
This was NOT pretty to have to watch or listen to. Gangsta Ghetto Grrrl "won" in that she was handed four more dollars, after much yelling, accusing, cursing, etc. Dragon Lady "won" in that she got rid of the problem "customer".
As for other customers in that line, the store management, etc.? Pretty clear loss for all bystanders in this, including yet another reduction in my general opinion of humanity.
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