Stereotype Hype

March 31, 2010  
Filed under Features

“It was an ongoing struggle to say no, I don’t want to be a part of the perpetuation of this stereotype” – John Amos.

First impressions… everyone judges someone; whether it is by what they wear, how their makeup is, what kind of shoes they wear,  or how their hair looks that day. Judging can go on to endless possibilities. But when does it get old; when does it stop? Some people do not realize that they are judging those people. Others realize they are and just do it anyways, to be mean and heartless. But once that person is in your class, you start talking to them, and pretty soon you are friends. You are going to look back and think, “What on earth was I thinking?”

 Stereotyping gets old when that is all you hear people talking about. “Look at what she’s wearing”… “Can you believe he put that on today?” It can go on and on. It is heard everyday by friends, people seen in the hallways, or complete strangers.  “It is  high school, so it is going to happen either way. I just think people are insecure about themselves and react by stereotyping other people,” said freshman Taylor Smith.

The “cool kids” are ruling the campus: wearing shoes to match the t-shirt color, high Nike socks, and high wasted skirts with cut-off tops. All the “cool kids” have vans and some are starting to match their shoelaces with whatever shirt they are wearing at the time. If you are not one of the “cool kids”, or going with whatever the trend is that week, you could possibly be considered an outcast. Where is the fairness in that?

But, as history repeats itself with wars and weather, it can also happen with clothing. The high wasted skirt dates back to the 1940’s and 50’s. Vans have been around since the 80’s; along with Uggs and Converse. That is what the “cool kids” wore then, and guess what? The repeating is taking place here at Desert Vista.

That is what the “cool kids” wore then, and guess what? The repeating is taking place here at Desert Vista. “The high-waist skirts are cute, it’s just different, not really my type,” explained Smith about the new style sweeping the campus. Once someone starts wearing something, it can either make a fashion statement or make him or her look like they just rolled out of bed.  “Some people do look like they just woke up and came to school, just like they are still in their pajamas” said freshman Leanne Marino.

        Stereotyping is racism, judging students by how they look or what they wear. It happens everywhere you turn: school work, sports. What if they like what they wear? What if their parents dress them? What if they just don’t care what people think? Judging someone before you even know him or her… Before you know it, you missed out on another friend, just because you wanted to be mean and insulting… rude.

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