Open Thread

4 Responses to Open Thread

1. Sally D says:

   April 12, 2012 at 2:32 pm

   Never written here before, but need a place to express what has been on my mind since news broke of Trayvon Martin’s untimely death.

   When George Zimmerman was arrested, my first thought was, “Finally.” Then, I became overwhelmed with fear. As a trial is likely to begin soon, I fear that the role that stereotypes, or stereotyping played in this tragic incident may get lost in the melee.

   The prosecution and the defense may very quickly get into a heated debate about whether or not George Zimmerman shot Trayvon in self-defense. As the debate is televised 24/7, onlookers around the world will naturally choose sides – and become more emotional and adamant about the side they chose. All the while, forgetting about how stereotypes contributed to Zimmerman’s regretful choice to shoot Trayvon.

   All logic regarding the circumstances of the situation suggests that stereotypes about African Americans – in a predominantly white neighborhood – caused Zimmerman to make assumptions about Trayvon’s intentions for being in the neighborhood. These assumptions led Zimmerman to call 911 to express his suspicions, and then to follow Trayvon against instruction. From there, the situation escalated.

   Stereotypes are generalizations about a population or group. When stereotypes are applied to an individual – an act of discrimination results. (My definitions – not taken from Miriam-Webster.)

   Stereotypes seem so powerful because they are ingrained so deeply into our subconscious, that we don’t always realize when we’re making them – and altering our actions based on nothing else except them. It is almost as if stereotypes control us; we don’t control them.

   As a woman of Asian-descent (I’m a Korean-adoptee), raised by Caucasians, I have had more encounters with stereotypes than I can count. In restaurants and grocery stores, people have always expressed surprise that my English is “so good.” I’m automatically assumed to know everything about electronics and the latest technology. In high school, a boy wrote in my yearbook, “I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for hot Asian girls such as yourself.” He proceeded to tell me he is quite good in martial arts – as if it would woo me to him.

   Unfortunately, a lot of people – good people, including friends and family who we dearly love – make stereotypes in every day life. The problem is that typically our society is tolerant of stereotypes – too tolerant. Stereotypes are hurtful. Even though it is the exception – not the norm – when stereotypes lead to the tragic death of human life – all stereotypes cause some amount of damage when expressed or acted upon.

   This is one of the many things that needs to change significantly if future situations like this are to be averted, and for society to experience peace and unity.

   I am pleading with everyone who might read this – choose today to stop acting upon stereotypes. Challenge your friends and family to do the same. And Hold each other accountable to 1) be conscious of when you’re thinking stereotypical thoughts. Do not let yourself off the hook by thinking, “This one is true,” or, “It’s funny, not mean.” Then 2) choose your next action with this awareness in mind. Maybe you won’t make that joke. Maybe you’ll say, “Hello,” to the middle-eastern looking person, instead of sitting there staring at him with fear as you wait to board your flight. Maybe you’ll find a new friend in someone who you initially thought “had the hots for you” because they “look gay.”

   If you want to take this challenge further, then take a step outside your comfort zone. Next Sunday, go to an all-black (or mostly black) church. Or even better – got to a non-English speaking church, or a church of a different faith perspective than your own. Tap into an international community – find out how you can assist recent immigrants who fled to the U.S. to escape political persecution. Or simply, get to know the people behind the counter at places where you use services such as dry cleaners, barber shops, and numerous food service establishment – ask about their family, their kids, their hobbies. And don’t stop doing things like this. Do it every day, every week until it becomes your “new normal.”

   In time, I hope we’ll see some morsel of good come from out of this horrible situation – the killing of Trayvon Martin. May God rest his soul in peace and comfort his family.
2. RCHOUDH says:

   April 14, 2012 at 10:05 am

   Great points made Sally D. Zimmerman would have never even followed Martin if he hadn’t racially profiled him. Unfortunately some people (usually those who haven’t experienced racial profiling) will try to “justify” Zimmerman’s act as being done with “good intentions” because after all he was doing it to “protect” his neighborhood…
3. Christy says:

   April 15, 2012 at 7:48 pm

   Sally D – interesting article in NYT.

   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/opinion/sunday/young-black-male-and-stalked-by-bias.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
4. Sally D says:

   April 17, 2012 at 11:41 am

   Christy – thanks for sharing the NYT article. Very interesting indeed. Sad how stereotypes can incite fear – to the extent that one may not think to gain more knowledge about a situation (e.g. say, “Hello,” to the black youth on the subway, or approach Trayvon Martin politely, etc.). After several years, fear becomes hate – or so it seems. What is it going to take for transformational change to occur?