Flygirl Chronicles: Stereotypical

“The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females often begins when the doctor says, ‘It’s a girl.”

- Shirley Chisholm

In the middle of a ‘Glee’ episode, my sister turns to me abruptly and says, “You know that plus size women have the ability to sing better than thin females.” I’m not sure whether this is a question or a statement and I stare at her in disbelief.

You see, my sister is a singer, and a thin one at that. Please don’t jump to the conclusion that she harbors this belief to enhance her self-esteem, because you’d be wrong. My sister does not limit the lumping together of unknown individuals to musicians. No, she has a stereotype for most people; regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. And rarely, very rarely, does she have valid grounds for these claims.

I don’t blame anyone who believes that rigid and authoritarian people are the only ones who use stereotypes, because it is what I used to believe too. Until my sister proved me wrong, by conducting a survey amongst friends and family and it turns out that a good number of people with diverse backgrounds and personalities have various stereotypes. One pastor even agreed with her theory about how great vocal ability is more likely to be found in a plus size woman than a thin one and I realized the difference between Stereotypes and Prejudice.

Since neither my sister nor the pastor have any prejudice toward plus size women, whether I believe it or not, I no longer get upset at their belief.

After all, I won’t hire a live-in maid who looks better than I do because of the stereotype that it isn’t wise to do so when you have a man in the house. And, I must say that I strongly believe the one about men with big hands, hehe.

I guess it’d be a stereotype to say that all stereotypes are inaccurate.

Stay Fabulous

/Flygirl

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