Stereotyping our Youth

     Racial prejudice is a serious issue that can start as early as the age of Five years old. When African Americans, experience discrimination they are treated as being aggressive and disrespectful due to their physical appearance as well as their skin color. To me that is unacceptable and needs to stop because we are all equal. This is a reasonable social standard of development. Also, they are viewed as less innocent. In other words, they are discriminated and in the eyes of many people they are inferior.

     This is an alarming reality that makes me sad because it makes me wonder how bad this issue can get or how will the future look like. For instance, when we make assumptions  such a “She is so smart to be a black girl” it is like labeling them, it makes a negative impact and it also shapes how kids figure out who they are. Black girls are expected to behave as an adult and they have less protection than white girls. Adultification bias is considered to be the underrepresented minority and they usually find themselves with many labels and stereotypes about this group. Although they experience stereotyping about their lack of interpersonal skills, they can be nice people. Unfortunately, they are considered to be “bad” due to the misconception humanity has regarding their skin color.  

 

Personal Memory: When I was in high school I struggled with math and I was once told that “Girls are not good in math as boys are” Basically that “Girls are not as smart as boys” Although I had a hard time with math I never failed it, that did not mean that boys in my classroom did better than me because I was a girl.