Aside from an idiotic and misguided desire to fit in, I've never understood people who go out of their way to fit into stereotypes. The majority of the problem with fitting into stereotypes on purpose is the overwhelming amount of backtracking you're doing for those who've worked hard and strived to avoid said stereotypes. It's hard to be a woman with short hair, and not be a dyke. It's hard to be black, and not a criminal (ask a black guy walking on the street if cops harass him).

So why on earth do some people embrace these stereotypes, and instead try to imitate them instead of deviate?

Some people would say it's for a sense of belonging. But what makes a person search for belonging in such a concept with negative implications? Stereotypes generally are used in a negative light, replacing personal characteristics with universal (and negative) traits.

Is it for respect? Possibly. While some people go out and earn respect by doing things that are worth respecting, some people just throw on a leather jacket and enjoy the respect and fear that a biker would normally receive.

But why doesn't it bother these people that with the few benefits, a stereotype carries many negative aspects? Why doesn't it bother them that it allows people to judge them more quickly and usually incorrectly? Why wouldn't these people like to be given the time and consideration to see who they truely are? I'll tell you why: Because these people have no identities.

That's right I said it. People who easily fit into a stereotype shouldn't even be given the time to consider the implications of the stereotype they're trying to hard to fit into. Instead, I propose a universal stereotype. In a logic that John Venn himself would appreciate, The mother of all stereotypes:

If a person willingly fits into a stereo type, he/she fits into the parent stereotype which states that this said person does not have a personality and therefore borrows from others' personalities. This type of person is boring and stupid and should have no friends.

Because of this, I see no reason to continue reasoning past the mother stereotype, and so I give not a second glance, let alone a second thought, to people who fit this profile. Are they thinking individuals with ideas and beliefs? Nope.

It would piss these people off that they're being thought of like this - if they had personalities. But since they're not really people, they don't notice. They're like extras on a movie set, or cookie cutter people walking on the side of vice city. Just blurting out phrases that seem typical. And getting run over.

Stumble this article.

SpIkE @ 08/01/07 "Not all stereotypes are bad. ALL ASIANS are good at math, that's a compliment." SpIkE @ 08/01/07 "unless you are an asian and someone wants you to do their homework for them." FredFredrickson @ 08/01/07 "But I feel that's an exception to this article, because asians don't necessarily put themselves into that stereotype. As stated at the top - some people are victim to stereotypes too. Those aren't the ones that I'm complaining about. it's the people who try to fit into the stereotype." SpIkE @ 08/01/07 "i wasn't countering you, I was merely commenting on asians." Riev_Mordred @ 08/01/07 "When I was in SoCal I saw this total punk poser, and I thought "I like Punk Music, and I don't have a mohawk and leather. gtfo" " Hauck @ 08/01/07 "Oh my god that guys was such a tool... when he was walking around for like 2 hours trying to get people to do Jegger with him." cherrybomb @ 08/01/07 "im not sure what this article is suppose to do for me really. what i mean is this: if someone is dressed say like a punk... it may not be because they want to fit in that stereotype. they may just like it. oh and with the asians dont stereotype themselves thing, isnt the girl in that picture asian? oh and i find the new stereotype is more not wanting to fit in a stereotype. " cherrybomb @ 08/01/07 "oh woops. sorry you said not into the asians are smart stereotyp. i think ive heard a few asians say they were smart... are they putting themselves into a stereotype? are asians no longer allowe to call themselves smart? well thats so sad..." SpIkE @ 08/01/07 "uhhh, what?" cherrybomb @ 08/01/07 "ha ha, nevermind! im in a crazy mood" UnknownKadath @ 08/01/07 "perhaps the leather and such that bikers wear has a legitimate useage.. perhaps, keeping warm? no fucking way... Stereotypes exist because they are true, not because people seek them, they just so happen to ride motorcycles and like to keep warm with a durable and cost efficient material. i know i am picking on a specific one, but it is a specific one you mentioned. " ThatSam @ 08/02/07 "wow, I have to say, your rants are getting far more steretypical of an egotistical jerk. but we all know you have a real personality some where." ThatSam @ 08/02/07 "Im sorry man, dont kill me!" FredFredrickson @ 08/02/07 "Actually, the reason for the leather is so that if they get in an accident, all their skin doesn't rub off. But I'm merely speaking of the people who throw on the jacket to gain the pros (and cons) of the rest of the people wearing the jackets (for functional use)." SpIkE @ 08/02/07 "Yeah, were not talking about the Fonz here. We're talking about people who wish ther were him." Riev_Mordred @ 08/03/07 "Yeah. My boss wears leather, but he owns a motorcycle. Most of the punk leather-wearing people don't even own a car =P The fact is, stereotypes exist for a reason. If you fit in with one actively, don't complain. If someone stereotypes you for being black, thats their problem. If you're stereotyped for wearing long leather coats and carrying weapons... well... fucking stop it" chronic_groupie @ 08/05/07 "girls can have short hair without being/ looking like dykes. Sometimes they just want to cut their hair short." Spoonman @ 08/05/07 "When a girl cuts her hair short, she is only making herself less attractive to men. Trust me as a guy on this one. Your girlfriends will delude you by saying your new haircut is "cute" and that "you make it work" but every guy out there will just think you're less pretty. Fact." corinne @ 08/05/07 "Pheww, i'm safe then i have hippie-long hair and HEY whaddya know! That sounds like a stereotype!" cherrybomb @ 08/06/07 "thats not true about guys not liking short hair. a guy i used to date would say he wished my hair was shorter cuz he thinks girls with really short hair are hott. also i know a few other dudes who like short hair on ladies." FredFredrickson @ 08/06/07 "he was lying to you." cherrybomb @ 08/06/07 "i really dont think he was because and i know they werent. " chronic_groupie @ 08/06/07 "i think that people have their preferences. And if someone cuts their hair short and doesnt care what guys think (yes, girls can do that) then who is to say that they are stereotyping themselves as dykes?" Monster @ 08/06/07 "From personal experience I found I was called a dyke by more girls rather than guys when I cut my hair off." cherrybomb @ 08/06/07 "i agree with krystin on the whole people should do what they want and its more other people who stereotype people rather than the person themselves... as i re-read that it gets confusing" Spoonman @ 08/06/07 "Well that's why you're wrong. The only telos of appearance is attraction of the opposite sex. "Not caring what guys think" as you so put it (I'm sure your women's lib educated parents are cheering you) essentially amounts to postponing the point at which you will begin cow-towing to men's desires. It is inevitable. " cherrybomb @ 08/07/07 "i love impressing men, but what im saying is this: you shouldnt care so much what people think of you. im not saying i do this because sometimes i care but sometimes i dont. it depends on the person really. anyhoo, im no feminist, and to be frank i really dont like feminists. that has nothing to do with the subject though" Riev_Mordred @ 08/07/07 "But yet, you didn't listen to what Spoon said. If you 'don't care' what other people think of you, then you really don't matter as a person. Whoops! Opinions! " Login to comment...

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