Staving Off Stereotypes

July 2nd, 2007 by Richard Cockrum

There’s a streak in me that doesn’t like people. That streak says we are venal, vain, self-serving, self-centered, destructive, domineering, hate-filled, controlling.

Then I meet you. I find out you’re caring, loving, constructive, creative, passionate, and peaceful.

Perfect? No. Real? Yes.

Stereotypes live in the head. Individuals live in the heart and the hand.

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3 Responses to “Staving Off Stereotypes”

1. Steve Olson Says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 9:30 pm

   Rick,

   Thanks for sharing this. I am the same way. When I notice myself getting overly stereotypical or prejudiced… I ask myself this question…

   What do you know to be true about this person? Is it real or is it imaginary?

   Sometimes that works…
   But not always.

2. Rick Cockrum Says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 9:57 pm

   Sometimes it works is right. It’s most difficult when we know something is true, whether we’re talking about individuals or ideas.

3. Rick Cockrum Says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 10:10 pm

   It’s interesting that Exercise and Arthritis is showing up as a related post here. A frequent correlate of arthritis seems to be stiff attitudes (metaphorically speaking), and how much stiffer can you get than a stereotype?