Stereotypes

We all know that stereotypes are generally bad, right? Of course there are always exceptions to every rule, but for the most part, stereotypes are unfair and paint people in a bad light. They are usually not even true.

But here's the thing: every stereotype has a grain of truth, no matter how small, right? They don't just come out of nowhere. Let's look at one and examine it a little closer. Take a second and think of all the stereotypes you know about Italians.

Ready? Here's the list I came up with:
1. Loud
2. Intense
3. Vocal - Not afraid to voice an opinion
4. Mob / Mafia connections
5. Love food
6. Huge families, and huge family gatherings
7. Passionate

I'm sure that we could come up with more, too, if we tried. Okay, now that we have a list, I want you to think of all the Italian people you know. I would be willing to be that at least one or two of these stereotypes applies to them. Am I right? I bet you noticed, too, though, that at least one or more of these stereotypes applies to you. I am Croatian and J is Cajun, and several of these stereotypes fit both of us and our families, too.

But like I said before, not all stereotypes apply to everyone in the group that's being stereotyped. However, because there is just enough truth in a stereotype to make them plausible, it's really hard to combat them.

Take, for example, cheerleaders. There are TONS of stereotypes about cheerleaders. One of the most prevalent is probably the stereotype that they are dumb blondes, right? Now, before you get mad at me and tell me you were a cheerleader, or your best friend was, understand that I know it's not true of all cheerleaders. I know this is especially not true of SHS cheerleaders. In fact, the cheer squad for winter sports didn't have a single blonde on it. Not one. They also have an average g.p.a. above a 3.2. Many of them take multiple AP classes and do very well in them.

So wouldn't you think that smart cheerleaders who know the stereotypes would want to do everything in their power to prove them wrong?

Answer me this then: how can they knowingly and intentionally do the following two cheers:

1. Let's get a little bit rowdy.
R-O-W-D-Y.
Go Suns!

and 2. R-O-W-D-I-E,
that's the way we spell rowdy.
Rowdy. Let's get row-dy.
(Complicated hand clapping routine follows.)

How on earth can they do TWO cheers about the same word and spell it differently each time?

Do you want to tell them they are doing nothing to dispel the myth? That in fact they are perpetuating it? Or should I?