Stereotypes of all types are detrimental

by Melissa Lau
Features Editor

Having the gift of sight can often cause us to be blind. Physical appearance counts for quite a bit these days, in fact sometimes too much.

Just take a look at the new iMAC computers that started a wave of new trends. Sales were so good on these ordinary computers with a different look, that other companies not even related to Macintosh designed products with similar characteristics. Just take a look at those gel pens and transparent, brightly colored staplers at Office Depot.

Do the iMACs really work more efficiently? Perhaps. However, their appearance seems to be the dominant motivating sales factor.

Consider people.

Take me for example: Catholic, female, Mexican-American, Chinese-American, black hair with crimson streaks, eight earings, only child, 20-year-old, college student, journalism major, theater major and proud.

If I could list all of the stereotypes people have labeled me with over the years, it would probably fill this page.

Because I look predominantly Asian, people expect me to speak Chinese. Although it would be a blessing to be fluent in another language (or two), it has not been passed down to me. People expect me to eat Chinese food everyday, but when they discover I am Mexican, they ask me how many brothers and sisters I have.

They expect me to have new car because I am supposed to be a spoiled only child. And because of my ethnicity, it can only be a Honda or a Chevrolet.

Surprise! I don't own a car, I share the 1985 Buick Century with my dad.

Sure, it is hard not to make an assumption about someone, especially with the word 'brat' printed across her shirt.

In any case, pre-judgements, generalizations and stereotypes can all lead to inaccurate and untrue conclusions.

As I have discovered, stereotypes are not only made on the basis of race, religion and sexual orientation - they can also be made about college majors.

If you are biology major, you want to become a doctor and are solely in it for the money. If you are a theater major, you care only about the potential of being famous and the cash that comes along with it. If you are a journalism major, you do not care about inaccurate facts or your sources, but only care about getting your story in on time and how good it makes you look.

Wrong.

Finding a major that made me happy was my first priority. There is a thin line between English and journalism. The assumption that just because journalism is a public form of writing I am, therefore, just as corrupt as the media, is an incorrect one.

There are quite a few journalism students who write because of their passion to do so, just as there are biology majors who have a passion to help others through research. There are theater, art and photography majors who do it because they love the art.

My point is that there are always exceptions to the rule. People need to understand others before they start making assumptions.

So, enough with the screen doors, the chopsticks and the rice. Enough with the frijoles for dinner, the Lexus, the collection of shot glasses and the hoochie clothes. Enough with the fame, with the money and with my name in print.

Enough with stereotypes.

Ignorance is bliss, but only for the ignorant.

Melissa Lau, a sophomore journalism and theater major, is features editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at bitterinque@yahoo.com.