Stereotyping

Stereotyping is a social phenomenon that we commonly display in our everyday lives. We tend to be quick in judging someone on the basis of our perception of the group to which that person belongs.

We hear comments or read in the papers that represent stereotyping. It is usually based on nationality, ethnicity and gender.

I have personally heard some non-Muslims commenting that Muslims (male) who sport a beard and a turban are likely to be terrorists. Even though they might have meant it as a joke (a very distasteful one definitely) but the underlying basis can be inferred to be stereotyping.

I have also read about how some Punjabis who have been mistaken to be terrorists and have been stopped at some western countries' airports and questioned. The West's perception of terrorists is that they sport beards or turbans and that they are mainly Asians. A classic example of stereotyping is the unfortunate incident where an innocent man who was thought to be a terrorist was shot dead in London by the police following the London bombings. The police stand was that he was a carrying a backpack which they had thought contained explosives. This is a fatal case of stereotyping.

Singaporeans have also been stereotyped by other nationalities. Singaporeans are thought to be 'Kia Su' (Hokkien for 'fear of losing'). They are the ones who tend to pile up their food on their plates during buffets. This cannot be solely attributed to Singaporeans. I have also witnessed other nationalities ( and not just Asians) displaying this characteristic.

In my opinion, one must always think before jumping to conclusions, and negative stereotypes do not do any good for anyone.