Things We Think We Know Reflection

Stereotypying is in our blood. It is nearly impossible to go a day without judging something or someone. It is almost essential, because everybody really enjoys sterotyping and people tend to bond through criticism. This article talks about illogical conclusions derived from being prejudice, it also specifies the rascism of people in the country. Many countries stereotype Americans to be fat, classless simpletons, but that is slightly true. America may win an award for breeding the most obese people, but these people make up less than 1/3 of the country. It is evident that almost every other caucasion country views America very lowly, stereotyping but technically true.

Many Europeans who haven't been to America see Americans as either cowboys or fat people. These people hear from outside sources about America and they believe everything they hear. They haven't been to America for themselves, so they base their thoughts on the media, school, and communication. The idea that Americans are all cowboys, or fat, is a well-known myth. It is a myth that became the truth to the majority of the Europeans. I've gained the bias that Europeans and Australians don't like Americans, because of different factors. One of the determining factors was the article: "Think We Think We Know" and another was my interaction with an Australian. I've had an Australian penpal named Toby since I was in middle school. He complained to me about Americans like I wasn't an American. It was very interesting that he got those biases when I was the first American person he talked to and the fact that he had never left his country.

The last sentence of the article says that the man did not know anything about Germany, after he came back from touring the country. It is hard to imagine a world where all answers were like that. That answer killed the mood where the conversation was headed towards. Without discrimination, there would be a lot more awkward silences. But I think exchanging discrimation for peace and unity is a good deal (it is just an ideal).

As I was reading the article, I started to remember my many encounters with discrimination. In public school there were a group of students (of Mexican descent) who sat around me. I never talked to them but they would always joke about how I was Asian. Before they heard me talk they assumed that I would be nerdy, shy, and lame. I was annoyed by them but it was hypocritical of me because I quickly assumed that they were crude and ghetto. People are typically shallow and have the problem of easily accepting popular belief. People can also gain a bias through experiences and emotions. The kids who sat around me may have been prejudiced against me because they may have had a bad experience with a certain Asian person. Those bad emotions can carry onto further encounters with other Asian people.