It’s hard to go more than a short time without hearing a stereotype. They are so ingrained into our brains and thoughts that most of the time we don’t even notice using them. Moreover, many people think they are not inherently harmful. But in reality, all stereotypes are bad; racial stereotypes in particular are especially toxic because of their prevalence at the University. Our racial history here at the University is too pernicious for racial stereotypes to be allowed to proliferate. We need to focus our attention now on these stereotypes because they are so visible and so widely accepted by many of the students here. As a result of our inaction, the Community of Trust suffers here at the University, and we lose a lot of what makes us special.
It is dangerous to ascribe roles to groups, especially if you are not a part of those groups. Believing a common stereotype, even one that may be true, marginalizes the group being stereotyped. It separates “us” from “them,” dividing and disrupting the harmony in our community. I don’t feel as connected with everyone else; I don’t empathize with the problems of people outside my group. This apathy destroys the trust and support that is supposed to be inherent in our community.
Through stereotyping our community becomes several small groups, each of which tolerate — rather than accept — the presence of the others. I don’t trust members of the community in general; I only trust members of my group. I don’t trust others because I have separated them from myself with some arbitrary quality or distinction, and as a result, I lose the opportunity to make great friends and meet good people.
Stereotypes also cause the destruction of individuals’ personalities and characters, and damage diversity here at the University. For example, if I assume all Asian students are pre-Med or pre-Comm, I am destroying significant portions of their stories, beliefs, dreams and goals. Everyone is an individual, and everyone is diverse in terms of experience, personality and thought, and we need to allow that to be expressed by not lumping people together as soon as they step foot on Grounds.
The fact that there is little diversity here is no secret. Both African-Americans, at 6 percent of the student body, and Hispanics at just 5.7 percent are underrepresented when compared to the national averages — 13.2 percent and 17.1 percent respectively. Stereotypes hurt students academically even after they matriculate as reflected in relatively low graduation rates for minority groups. This combination of low matriculation, which comes from fear of little initial diversity and widely held prejudicial views, and poor performance after matriculation gives the University a reputation as a place where minority students come to fail.
Minorities don’t participate in certain organizations because they are discouraged from doing so by long-entrenched stereotypes that imply these students are not qualified. The resulting low minority participation in groups such as StudCo and Honor makes those same minorities feel as if they are being oppressed by better represented races in these organizations.
The long-term effects of racial stereotyping are harmful and lasting even past initial exposure. Studies have shown that people exposed to stereotypes perform worse in terms of decision-making and self control than those who were not. For University students, this could result in a drop in academic performance.
I know that many people who use these stereotypes mean no harm when they do say them or joke about them, but they do not realize the consequences of doing so. Each bad joke or rude utterance is another cut on the already loose threads holding our community together. When making a joke about a white student being rich and entitled, it may seem funny, but it will hurt all white students, whether they are wealthy or not. So, the next time an opportunity to say a funny stereotype pops up in your head, ask yourself, is it worth saying?
Sawan Patel is an Opinion Columnist for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at s.patel@cavalierdaily.com.
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