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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1993)
Stereotypes attack correctness own wiin stereotypes! • • I 1 Stop your prejudice!” JL^ some people accuse, wag ging their fingers at the politically incorrect. “We are not prejudiced! Leave us alone! ” their disillusioned targets cry. Ironically, these two groups are la menting the same ongoing problem: inter-group conflict. One way which those striving to be “politically correct” (PC) may try to influence die problem is by changing minority labels, eliminating stereo types and angrily accusing non-con formers of racism. Unfortunately, however, the ongoing ethnic violence here in America, the conflict in Bosnia and the Neo-Nazi activity in Ger many are but a few situations attesting to the apparentineffectiveness of those efforts. Furthermore, many people have noticed this ineffectiveness and become disillusioned and resentful of wnai mey see as useless rv. attacks. Why is it that, over the years, we can make such monumental leaps in terms of technology, but make so little progress towards learning to live together peacefully? Part of the prob lem is that our focus is wrong. Too often our focus is to blame conflicts and violence on impersonal concepts such as “stereotypes” and “prejudice.” Or, if we do choose to blame people instead of concepts, we often blame others for their discrimi natory actions while defensively claiming our own innocence. Both of these tactics not only serve to distance ourselves from taking any personal responsibility or action, they are also dishonest. The tactics distance us from the problem by making us feel as though there is nothing we could do and, therefore, that we have no personal responsibility. However, this is dishonest because none of us can claim to be immune to using stereotypes. Studies have shown that situations where there is liule time to think op where we arc lacking more specific information, both preju diced and unprejudiced people will use stereotypes to make decisions. At first this may seem like a frightening Why Is It that, over the years, we can make such monu mental leaps In terms of technology, but make so little progress towards learning to live to gether peacefully? thing, suggesting that we are all racist by nature. But, in the correct contexts, having and using stereotypes is also very adaptive because it helps us to orga nize information, remember things and make decisions despite time and information constraints. For example, we all share concep tions about animals that can be very useful. Let’s say that, for some unknow nreason, I am walking on a fence separating a pitbull from a golden retriever and begin to lose my balance. In this case, I do not have time to personally get to know each dog to find out which one is friendlier. But by relying on previously formed stereotypes and prejudices about these two breeds, I can quickly, almost unconsciously, discriminate against the perhaps more dangerous pitbull and try to direct my fall toward the retriever, possibly saving my life. Because the tendency to use ste reotypes does Seem to be both innate and useful, it doesn’t make sense to either condemn others for using them or to deny our own use of them. What we could do, however, is accept that we all use them and that we often do so unknowingly. Then, since we are all in the same situation, we could stop condemning others, stop deny mg our own part ana roc us on learning from each other how to use stereo-' types more appropriately. One problem with using stereo types concerning people, forexample, is that we often tail to see how inaccu rate they are. And stereotypes may be inaccurate for a number of reasons. They may never have been true, as in the past when it was commonly be lieved that Caucasians had the largest heads and therefore were more intel ligent than other races. Moreover, stereotypes may have once been true but then changed over time, as in the case of women’s occu pations. Or, stereotypes may be inac curate because they represent either an average or a somewhat common occurrence of behavior that applies to only very few but very visible mem bers of a group, as is often the case with stereotypes concerning gays and lesbians. In addition to simply using inaccu rate stereotypes, we often overuse them. That is, we use them even when we don’t have to. We use them in situations where there is little danger and where we have access to enough time and information to make a well thought out decision. Sometimes, though, we simply forget to question ourconceplionsor to waitand find out if they apply to a certain individual. Other times we are simply too impa tient to take the time to get to know an individual, and stereotypes seem like good alternatives. With practice, how ever, we can learn to see when we show these tendencies and then learn to overcome them. At the very least, the approach of ceasing to condemn each other and deny our own tendencies to use ste reotypes, prejudices and so on, would create a bit more peace between the PC and non-PC. Ideally, it would also result in the increase of individual inter-group communication skills, because the only way to really stop mter-groupconflict is to startby chang ing the individuals within those groups. PyUlk is a graduate psychology student and a Summer Daily Nebraskan columnist What do you think about the proposed tuition increase by the NU Board of Regents? I think that education should be affordable to all students — educa tion is expensive enough as it is. I don’t feel that a tuition increase would benefit students.” Amy Lind Sophomore Journalism “I don’t like it because college is expensive enough the way it is...but I personally don’t really care, because I don't pay for it, financial aid does." Kyla Rawley Junior Engineering If the money is going to pay tor a program like the Academic Success Center, then the increase doesn’t bother me. But if the Chancellor’s going to get another raise, or if the money is going to send administrators to the Orange Bowl, then forget it.” Jim Crable Junior Accounting — Compiled by Kristin Armstrong The Daily Nebraskan wants to hear from you. If you want to voice your ^ opinion about an article that appears in the newspaper, let us know. Just write a brief letter to the editor and sign it (don’t forget your student ID number) and mail it to the Daily Nebraskan, 34 Nebraska Union, 1400 ‘R’ Street, Lincoln, NB 68588-0448, or stop by the office in the basement of the ^ Nebraska Union and visit with us. We’re ail ears. __I ATTENTION AUGUST 1993 GRADUATES Your Degree Application is Due June 25, 1993 Apply at 107 Administration Expert Teachers Permanent Centers Total Training CALL NOW: Preparation Classes Forming Now 475-7010 Ek. Available Now at Twisters •Neil Young* •Paul Westerberg* CD’s ' - - $9.97 I Cassettes i ; GIFTS $7.97