Going against the stereotypes is better?

kyrax12

Platinum Member
May 21, 2010
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So I read somewhere that is better to go against the stereotype.

For example: An African/Nigerian male speaking eloquently and able to articulate rather than speaking in Ebonics. (Apparently this is view better than a White-male doing it)
Or.. An Asian male being aggressive socially rather than being submissive. (Also viewed better than a white male doing it.)


I don't remember where I read this, but this seems better socially.

What do you guys think?
 

kyrax12

Platinum Member
May 21, 2010
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I think this could tie in to affirmative action. My basis is that, people seem more impressed when they see any minority going against their stereotypes. (in a good way)
I listed my examples in the OP.

I think it is because that blacks are more represented in the poverty spectrum, which can infer that they may lack the motivation to do well in school. If a black person speaks eloquently, it may very well surprise people in a good way.

Just like how Asians are more known as submissive. Showing good leadership and being able to dominate socially can surprise people in a good way. I think this is what I am trying to say and what I gathered from my readings.
 
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dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
those are negative stereotypes you listed. so yeah going against them would be a good thing.
 

HamburgerBoy

Lifer
Apr 12, 2004
27,111
318
126
It only helps if you're going against bad stereotypes. As a white male, this advice is of no use to me.
 

kyrax12

Platinum Member
May 21, 2010
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I kind of forgot this forum is majority White. Heh... guessed it would have been better if I posted in a more diverse forum.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
I kind of forgot this forum is majority White. Heh... guessed it would have been better if I posted in a more diverse forum.

the US is majority white. this forum actually has a lot of asians relatively speaking.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,799
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I think this could tie in to affirmative action. My basis is that, people seem more impressed when they see any minority going against their stereotypes. (in a good way)
I listed my examples in the OP.

I think it is because that blacks are more represented in the poverty spectrum, which can infer that they may lack the motivation to do well in school. If a black person speaks eloquently, it may very well surprise people in a good way.

Just like how Asians are more known as submissive. Showing good leadership and being able to dominate socially can surprise people in a good way. I think this is what I am trying to say and what I gathered from my readings.

On the flip side, stereotypes exist for a reason. Sometimes they're useful. I look like Bill Gates. People naturally assume I'm into computers. I wasn't into computers until after high school, but started thinking about it because people kept associating pale skin & glasses with being a nerd. These days, it's like having an easy social mask - people think I'm a geek stereotypically, which I can use to my advantage. Say I don't want to hang out at a family function - there's always a family member who *needs* me to fix their computer while I'm visiting, so I can go & nef for hours while I'm running Malwarebytes, hehehe.
 

Jodell88

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2007
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Being able to communicate in standard english is a good skill to have as it is easier to communicate with.

The issue with dialects is that people have to know the semantics of the dialect to know what is being said. Speaking a dialect shouldn't be a stereotype (positive or negative).

I leave you with a bit of comedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3l-3Y9z8qE
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,799
7,342
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Being able to communicate in standard english is a good skill to have as it is easier to communicate with.

The issue with dialects is that people have to know the semantics of the dialect to know what is being said. Speaking a dialect shouldn't be a stereotype (positive or negative).

I leave you with a bit of comedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3l-3Y9z8qE

It's true. I work with a guy from the deep south who has the type of southern accent that comedians imitate to make fun of southerners. Very very heavy accent. And he is ridiculously intelligent. Crazy amounts of degrees, certification, work & project history, etc. You'd think he hunts bullfrogs in his spare time when you first talk to him (which actually, he does) just because that's the TV & entertainment stereotype we've grown up on, but he can blow me away in pretty much any subject no problem.

Funny how that works, especially with looks. Like I said earlier, I look like the media representation of a nerd - round face, pale skin, glasses - so naturally everyone assumes that I'm not only good with computers, but amazing with math (and science). Unfortunately I'm terrible at math & have had to take ever math course in college two or three times to pass, which shocks people because they stereotypically think I'm an average TV geek who is gifted in the sciences. Nope. I'm good at neffing & that's about it :D
 

AgentUnknown

Golden Member
Apr 10, 2003
1,527
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81
White people love mayo. They are more than likely to be pedophiles. They like to do mass shootings.

And they fucking love board games. BOARD games people!
 
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mikeford

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2001
5,671
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If you want to make a point, its wise to focus on making the point, not putting in lots of clever to you, distractions to everybody else.

Avoiding stereotypes may suit your PC notions, but deliberately going against them is as much a recognition of the stereotype as deliberately using them.
 

AgentUnknown

Golden Member
Apr 10, 2003
1,527
5
81
If you want to make a point, its wise to focus on making the point, not putting in lots of clever to you, distractions to everybody else.

Avoiding stereotypes may suit your PC notions, but deliberately going against them is as much a recognition of the stereotype as deliberately using them.

whateva