One month ago, on February 20, a beautiful project was launched:
1000 Voices for Compassion (#
1000Speak). Bloggers from around the world
linked up providing incredible posts that will touch your soul. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for me to come across this incredible initiative since I am spending 2015 gearing up for my own massive kindness project launch in 2016:
B(e) Kind 366. To keep the momentum of this #1000Speak going a theme for the month of March was created: "Building from Bullying." After reading a lead-up post from one of the 1000Speak masterminds,
The Village NEEDS Namaste, I decided to write a post about stereotypes. It might fall slightly outside the "bullying" box, but I feel it asserts a similar message nonetheless.
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| Identity Collage (home, language, religion) |
I recently attended a workshop called "Effective Collaboration Across Differences" led by Peter Wanyenya, an International Students Adviser from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As we worked through the thought and action processes that lead from stereotypes to all out racism, Mr. Wanyenya asked us if positive stereotypes existed. We were already hyper-aware of the effects of stereotypes so we knew this was a loaded question. "Just toss out a few ideas first," he suggested, "and then we'll discuss whether they are actually positive or not." Hands shot up and the microphone travelled around as participants offered up so-called "positive" stereotypes like, "Asians excel at mathematics," "The elderly have a wealth of wisdom," "Women are very nurturing," and "Gay men have impeccable taste in fashion." These all seemed like positive things. "So what do you think is wrong with these statements then?" Mr. Wanyenya asked us.
We all sat quiet for a brief moment, pondering our facilitator's question and then a few hands went up. "Not all Asians excel at mathematics." "Not all women want children." To summarise the answers to Mr. Wanyenya's final question: All of these "positive" stereotypes are still stereotypes which makes them just as exclusionary as "negative" stereotypes. For example: if we assume that a person who is visibly of Asian decent is a genius at math and we ask that person to tutor us on the subject, how then does that person feel when they have to tell us that they struggle with math as well? The answer: They don't feel very good. And we have gone from thinking we are complimenting someone to actually making them feel inferior without even intending to. That is just one of the many examples of how "positive" stereotypes do not actually exist. I learned a lot at the "Effective Collaboration Across Differences" workshop, but this is one of the lessons that stuck with me and caused me to really pay close attention to the words I say and the actions I take.
For hundreds more blog posts on the topic of "Building Beyond Bullying" visit the #1000Speak
link up!
I'd say that this definitely comes within the "bullying" box! And it is very interesting. I guess when we use stereotypes we really show lazy thinking.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne! It's definitely lazy thinking - that's a perfect way of describing it.
DeleteI love Yvonne's comment above! This is a really interesting look at things--and so true! Being thoughtful changes everything from perspective to action!
ReplyDelete(So intrigued by your Kindness Project, btw, and am excited to follow along and learn more!)
Changes thought processes and in turn actions is exactly the point! It'll be an honour to have you follow my project :)
DeleteWow! That's really something to think about! Stereotyping anyone, whether negative or positive, is rarely a good thing because you're making the person squeeze into a box that he or she may not like!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way after attending the workshop and realising that any stereotype is still a stereotype!
DeleteGreat point! Even though it may seem positive to us, if we are assuming something about someone based on a stereotype it's wrong. I am looking forward to learning more about your kindness project!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! Yes, exactly, assumption is the problem. I'm honoured that you've taken an interest in my project :)
DeleteThe ladies ahead of me are spot-on. Even when we think we are making things "better" by reversing the stereotype, we are still making generalizations. Generalizations can be very hurtful. When I taught high school, we studied the role of stereotypes in literature and I always wanted my students to come away understanding that stereotypes are often based on preconceived notions and are rarely - if ever - productive. What a great lesson from your professor!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear that you taught those lessons in high school. It's never too early to learn :)
DeletePopping back in, wondering how you're doing with the a-z so far. I've managed to write and schedule a-h, hoping to get a few more letters done today. I've added a blog list in my right side bar of those who've visited and left comments to make the visiting back and forth easier...got you listed.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting there with A-Z. Mostly I just have lists right now, but hopefully I can find some time to extrapolate and turn them into full on posts in the next week.
DeleteIt's gr8! thanks for sharing it. Tc
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting!
DeleteHi Brandy! What an eye-opener! Thank you so much for this. I love stuff that makes me think and brings me a new awareness. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you stop by again and I'm glad it increased your awareness. The workshop definitely increased my awareness so I felt it only fitting to share it with others :)
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