I know there have been threads on stereotypes before but this is a slightly different angle.

There will always be stereotypes no matter how much we hate them. That's just the way it is.

I thought of this by noticing a group of black folks the other day. They were teens, about my age, three girls and two guys. The girls had their hair braided and were wearing mini skirts and tube tops. They looked sort of jersey-ish and one was wearing pink and one was wearing blue. It reminded me of a celebrity or two I had seen before. The guys were wearing extremely baggy pants, jerseys, and ball caps with flat rims turned to the side. Mind you, it was about 80 degrees outside. I find this style on guys very unattractive, though I don't necessarily find black guys unattractive (i.e. that guy from Saved the Last Dance is very fine). I think this type of look that black guys most often attempt makes them look lazy, like a bum, unattractive, and also like a thug, and like they're trying to be something they are not all at once.

And stereotypes are not only in clothes but in personalities. Why would a black person talk like a thug to be cool/fit a stereotype if...well...people were going to think he was a thug?

So how were these stereotypes like this established? And, for there to be a stereotype, people must follow them. So why do people follow stereotypes, especially since most are negative or make them look unattractive?

And I'm not just talking about the stereotypes surrounding black people. That was just my example. This is open to every stereotype.

No, amp, stereotypes exist everywhere and in everyone's minds.

If I see a black guy dressed like the one I discribed, I'm going to think of him as a thug and most likely not approach him. Now, if he approaches me, I will be kind and polite and maybe I'll even grow to like him. I'm not going to be rude or judgemental because of someone's outfit. But the first impression will still be there.

Man oh Man there is a lot of outrage on this board the final thing on sterotypes is they only exist in the mind of fools and imbeseles

bearhug, thats a bit extreme. If its sweltering hot, you would still be in a sweatshirt and jeans? You could always wear bermuda shorts and a t-shirt... or something, but all of those winter-like layers are ridiculous. Even when I was in my boy clothes streak, I wore t-shirts instead of sweatshirts when I was hot. I grew out of that even still. I now wear halter tops and shorts when I want to, not so I want to be seen, but because it is hot! You shouldnt have your wardrobe revolve around how other people may see you, but how YOU are most comfortable...
Geez... next thing, people will wearing eskimo suits in Hawaii.

And one more thing:
Okay, I hate being sterotypical girly-girl. I DISPISE mini-skirts, hate tight shirts, and wear jeans and a sweatshirt all summer. Even when it gets ups to 90. Just because I refuse to be seen in stuff that rides up your but and should be considered underwear and shirts that look like they were taken from a 9 year old. I think the thing with the baby doll shirts is for your age, you go down 3 years. 10 year old? then you wear a shirt from a 7 year old. 13? 10 year old.I don't like the way it works. But are accursed society finds it acceptable. *shakes angry fist at society*

quote:

So, that's why I think that is. I actually have an example... This year, I had some sandals and one strap broke, (this was at the beginning of May) and I needed a temporary solution to get me through the day, so I put duct tape on that sandal (wrapped it around) and then I decided to put it on the other, because i thought it looked cool. I got ridiculed by some, but I got complimented by others. But, even before I started getting compliements, I just didn't care what others thought, I have my own fashion sense, and if others don't like it, tough cookies...

Yay the taped sandals. Isn't that fun though? I like using masking tape personally because you can color it and your media choice sticks a bit better. But I get you point. I just needed to say something about the sandals.

Sometimes it hard to see it as anything other than wanting to look that way... But in that type of society, or scene, you are expected to look that way, and are brought up believing that it is right. There are little girls running around in midriff bearing shirts and superminis because their mothers make them.
Once, I was immersed in that society. I was forced to change out of my loose jeans and designer t-shirt into a really tight mini skirt and a little kids shirt that came up to mid stomach. I was not comfortable, and I was angry that i had to dress that way just for someone's birthday party and car wash. I tried all day to forget what I was wearing, and just enjoy myself, but with every woman around me dressed like that (some of them were in their 40s and 50s) it was difficult.
It seems like it is expected of you by the men to flaunt what you have. Women are like cars to them, they get them all polished up and shiny to show around to their friends and be proud of their purchase. It is definitely more than just wanting to dress like that (for women), or liking that style. It is an expectation.
It is sickening...

I get it but...I don't see why anyone would want to be perceived as a thug or a whore or something like that.

No one should have to change how they look for any one. It is ridiculous to say that someone has to stop dressing like a whore or a thug just so they arent presented as one. They shouldnt have to change at all, especially if that is who they are and how they like to be.
The only thing is, if they do not want to be perceived as criminals and gang bangers and prostitutes, then they shouldnt act and dress as such, and then get mad about it when people treat them as if they are the very thing they reprresent... If you get what I mean...
Its all happy smiles until someone does NOT read between the lines.

I don't do that, but I guess it's more about "image" and "street cred." or "reputation" and stuff like that... Like you said, it's all up to you. I, personally, are actually a big voice in the community, so I don't really do things that would be thought as inappropriate, but the things that adults would think of as inappropriate I wouldn't do anyway, that's just the way I am. I usually think like most adults about how I should act, but I would never tell someone else how to act/dress (I might make a suggestion or two, if it was directly affecting myself or environment negatively, but, that doesn't happen often...). But, I forgot where I was going with this.

Oh ya, the thing that I usually clash with most adults is that they think that I'm stretching myself too thin and doing too many things at once. And that's the point where my sandal story comes in... I'm not going to let someone else's negative opinion make me change who I am/what I do...

But I see where you are coming from Worth...

quote:

Originally posted by NickJ:
I think the reason that they do not change themselves/personalities/selves is because they shouldn't HAVE to. People should just accept people the way they are and give them the benefit of the doubt. (I'm kind of quoting X-2: X-Men United..which, if you look at it, can fit to any stereotype...). So, that's why I think that is. I actually have an example... This year, I had some sandals and one strap broke, (this was at the beginning of May) and I needed a temporary solution to get me through the day, so I put duct tape on that sandal (wrapped it around) and then I decided to put it on the other, because i thought it looked cool. I got ridiculed by some, but I got complimented by others. But, even before I started getting compliements, I just didn't care what others thought, I have my own fashion sense, and if others don't like it, tough cookies... Oooo...like my sister, I think purple and green go together very well, but she doesn't and she mocks me for wearing the colors together... Those are some of my favorite colors together, though; but I didn't change, because I shouldn't have to...

Do you see where I'm going with this?? Or did I lose you back at the duct taped sandals???

I understand what you're saying. I dress how I want as well and don't really care much of what other people think of me.

But I do care about how my present myself, as I think we all should. I don't want to present myself as a whore or a gangsta or a druggie. Do you know what I'm saying? It's not that I care so much that other people are going think that about me but that I care about how I think I look.

It can work the other way too: My boyfriend thinks that I am not fat but I think he is delusional. He always says, "Why do you care whether you are or not? I don't think you are so why should it matter what anyone else thinks?" I respond with, "I don't care what anyone thinks and, while I appreciate it, I don't much care of your opinion. It matters what I think of myself and how I think I look. And I don't like it."

So I guess I can't really comprehend why someone would continue to present themselves as a thug or whore or some other negative stereotype---in other words, don't they have respect for themselves?

I think the reason that they do not change themselves/personalities/selves is because they shouldn't HAVE to. People should just accept people the way they are and give them the benefit of the doubt. (I'm kind of quoting X-2: X-Men United..which, if you look at it, can fit to any stereotype...). So, that's why I think that is. I actually have an example... This year, I had some sandals and one strap broke, (this was at the beginning of May) and I needed a temporary solution to get me through the day, so I put duct tape on that sandal (wrapped it around) and then I decided to put it on the other, because i thought it looked cool. I got ridiculed by some, but I got complimented by others. But, even before I started getting compliements, I just didn't care what others thought, I have my own fashion sense, and if others don't like it, tough cookies... Oooo...like my sister, I think purple and green go together very well, but she doesn't and she mocks me for wearing the colors together... Those are some of my favorite colors together, though; but I didn't change, because I shouldn't have to...

Do you see where I'm going with this?? Or did I lose you back at the duct taped sandals???

Yes, but why would people continue to follow them if it casts them in a negative light? Yes, mini skirts are popular but if I thought I looked like a whore in one, I would stop wearingt them.

Stereotype: whore
Light: Negative
Reaction: I make myself not fit the stereotype anymore.

But most people's reaction makes it seem like they don't even notice the negative connotation of their outfits or personalities. This doesn't make sense to me. The example of the black people I mentioned earlier: Those guys have to know the image they are putting up. Why would they continue to do that?

Stereotypes are followed because they are noticable. The flamboyant homosexual stereotype came about because it's easier to recognize. Stereotypes help identify people whether good or bad.