A challenge to students for breaking the ingrained stereotypes

Jason Pressberg / Columnist

From the time we are born, we are bombarded with stereotypes about different groups of people. We are bombarded with reasons why people have as much money as they do, why we should be afraid of different groups of people, or why other groups do not work as hard as others.

As we mature and get older, it is important for us as young adults to question these stereotypes. Metaphorically, we have a “record” that plays in our head, not belting out music on a turntable, but bringing back the memories of stereotypes which we have subconsciously grown to believe to be true.

I am from New York and was taught by the local media and social studies class to believe that everyone with a Southern accent is stupid and ignorant. Class films about the Civil War that I was shown growing up displayed Southerners as stupid and completely to blame for the conflict. In fact, before I came to Elon, I had accepted the teaching that the Civil War was a struggle of right versus wrong, slave states against free states, fought only for the freedom of America’s slaves.

While slavery was a large part of why the Civil War occurred, anyone who has studied it knows that many other political and economic factors played roles as well. But I had to acquire an education on the subject to realize that the stereotype I had in my head was not entirely true.

Speaking with Southerners has helped me to challenge this idea. Whenever I meet an intelligent person with a strong Southern accent, it helps me to come even closer to breaking this record which is so ingrained in my head.

Everyone knows that stereotypes are hard to break because often times there are some truth in them. No stereotype is completely true, although some are completely false. Regardless, it is our responsibility to question that records that play in our heads when we come into contact with different groups of people.

I am still struggling to break the record that all Southerners are stupid. Try to break one of the records that you have in your head this week – it’s part of being an educated person. Challenge yourself. If you hold negative stereotypes about a group of people, talk to a member of that group or study their history and heritage. It will help bring more understanding to our world.

Jason Pressberg is writing on behalf of D.E.E.P., Diversity, Emerging Education Program.

Contact Jason Pressberg at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.