1. I have been a member of a group that has been stereotyped against. Stereotype, as it explains in the text, “as a form of categorization is part of the human condition…helps us make immediate and potentially critical decisions, saving us from having to sort through each individual circumstance and from overloading our mental circuits” (p.89). When I was a freshman in high school, I had a math tutor to preview materials that were coming up in the class; therefore, I usually didn’t have any problems when I was doing worksheet in class. One day, a guy in my class always copy off of my worksheets asked me if I know all the math problems in the world because I am Asian. Well, I basically kept my silence and moved on. I felt it was ridiculous and ignorance of him to asked me that question. The funny thing is, I hate math, and very bad at it too. The guy just put me in a category “Asians good at math” because of this perpetuate myth that he has about Asians. My example definitely reflects the concept in the text of how stereotyping is over generalizing human condition and not allowing people to differentiate individuals.
Hey Sogo
ReplyDeleteI think everyone on here can relate to experiencing some sort of stereotypes in their lives. The "asians are good at math" stereotype is very ignorant and annoying. I am not of asian decent and I get offended by this stereotype myself. Although this stereotype may seem to be a positive one, it is not. Some people may feel like a failure if they are not that good at math and are asian. That should not be the case because everyone single person has their own talents and strengths and ethnic background has nothing to do with it.
-By the way nice blog page set-up; I like the pictures!
Hey Sogo, I first want to say it’s funny and interesting to read your post because growing up I had the same type of stereotype while I was younger. I used to love computers while growing up working on them and such. However, when I was around a group of peers and because I wear prescription classes; while about to play basketball with a group of peers, before I got choosing someone said “don’t you have some computer to fix you nerd”? Although I ignored his opinion I felt that my glasses were stereotyped for being nerdy and real geeky. People felt that I shouldn’t be playing sports, but at home reading books because I wore glasses. The book says stereotypes perpetuate myths about groups of people and to disallow for the valuable differences and positive contributions we all receive from each unique individual. (pg89) I just think it’s funny back then everybody was talking about my glasses then, but now everybody is trying to get glasses whether prescription or not how ironic.
ReplyDeleteHi sogo,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I have found your experience that seems like my children situation before. At school here, they are always stereotyped by most of the classmates said "Asian are good at math". In Harris and Shelbolm text who say, "Stereotyping as a form of categorization is part of the human condition" (Harris/Sherbolm 92). The authors reveal that the stereotyping means the people tend to have their assumptions to a particular group of individuals. Before my children re-allocated back in the United States, both of them studied in Hong Kong for few years. In Hong Kong, the school syllabus focused on maths and science that were the normal practice in the school category. Except the basic homework at school, some of the additional practice in maths and science subjects had been assigned by the teachers as well. In terms of the long time practices and training, there is no doubt that most of the Chinese students have the strong ability in maths and science.
After they have been back in the United States, they are always stereotyped as "Asians are good at math" at class. Due to the pressure from their classmates, they could not ignore their ability in maths and science at school. Under this issue, I can only do is to let them relaxed when they do their math and science homeworks.
Today, the both of them become the young adults who always remember the pressure of "Asians are good at math" in their memories. AH!!!
Thank you,
Kam
Sogo,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comments on the stereotype, I do agree about you say about Asians being good in math. What happens if a student comes up to another Asian student and they struggle in math, what happens there? I really think that it is ignorant for people to make that stereotype. I had friends joke about something like that in class, "oh our English isn't good, but we'll pass any math test given to us." The simple fact that they made a joke out of it, tends to make it okay and they accept it. People do get annoyed and others embraced it, we just got to try harder not to make assumptions. Really good post Sogo.
Hey Sogo,
ReplyDeleteNicely written post. :) I've actually never heard of the stereotype that "all Asians are good at math," but I have heard of the more general stereotype regarding Asians, that they are all very smart and do well in school. Both these stereotypes prove that a) not all stereotypes are negative and b) just because a stereotype may be positive doesn't mean it can't be offensive. Whenever someone categorizes us into a box based on something out of our control like our race it's like they aren't seeing the "real" us, like that kid in your math class did with you. We want to be recognized for our true talents based on our personal strengths and accomplishments; not based on a silly and ignorant stereotype about our race, gender, etc. Good job with the post.