In life, everyone is stereotyped to some degree. Usually we think things like race, gender, religion, orientation, etc. but there's a lot more to be said for things like how you dress, the music you listen to, your social standing, your hobbies, how you spend your time, being single or dating, etc. We make a lot of assumptions about other people without really knowing anything about them, and it's interesting to see how wrong we can be sometimes.
That's why I decided to make this thread. It isn't intended as a pity-party "look-what-I-have-to-deal-with" thread, but for everyone to share their own experiences about how others have judged them wrongly, and for everyone here hopefully to gain some insight on not judging others in the future.
So tell me two things, Newgrounds.
First, how are you stereotyped? What do people assume about you and why?
Second, is it true? How much of it is true/untrue?
I suppose I'll start with myself. Feel free to be more or less detailed in your post if you want, I just feel like being a bit detailed for the hell of it. Also, feel free not to read any of this shit if you don't want, it isn't really essential to posting.
Wearing a lot of black: Anyone on Newgrounds who knows me in real life knows that I wear pretty much nothing but black a lot of the assumption behind that is that I think I'm cool or dark, I'm emo (which, to be fair was at least true at one point, hence my old username xXShortEmoKidXx), I'm a cynical or negative person, or am depressed.
In reality, though I can be cynical and often feel depressed, I'm generally a very friendly person, and am known for my sense of humor and ability to see the positive sides of bad situations. I probably thought I was cool when I started doing it (cut me some slack, I was like ten), but now I mostly just do it out of habit, and because I still think it looks cool, not that it necessarily makes me cool.
Being Bisexual: Bisexuality can come under a lot of fire. Straight people sometimes assume that I'm just a nymphomaniac running around having sex with everyone, not committing to a relationship or staying faithful. Gay people often think that I'm being dishonestly gay, and am trying to stay halfway in the closet and maintain some "straight privilege." The worst is when people think bisexuals are all attempting to be part of a trend (though I will admit it happens). I can say that none of these assumptions apply to me.
Being non-religious: I'm currently somewhere between agnostic and atheist right now, but the assumptions are usually similar; That I'm condescending, hate all religious people and think they're stupid, etc. Another surprising stereotype about atheists/agnostics is that we have no sense of morals, and just do whatever we want.
While admittedly most religions and the following thereof make little sense to me, I'm not going to belittle someone just because they believe something that I don't. I know a lot of religious people who are extremely nice and friendly, so I know not to assume things about them. As for morals, religion isn't the only place to get them, I believe in treating other people as I would like to be treated.
Being white/male: I'm throwing these two together because they're the same; that I'm ignorant and privileged and am probably a racist misogynist who sympathizes with rapists. You know the story, die cis scum, etc.
While being a white man does put me ahead and give me a lot of unfair advantages, I am aware of these, and don't assume that other races don't work as hard, or women aren't as smart or capable, or any of that shit. I'm aware that a lot of economic influences, gender/racial bias and societal expectations can make it more difficult for racial minorities and women to succeed. I'm also aware of the stigmatization that rape victims (both male and female) face in society, and am against any kind of victim blaming. or rape justification.
Sorry to get on my soapbox on that one, but you'd be surprised how often people assume me to be the devil.
Listening to punk music: People usually think that this means I'm an anarchist, or am trying to be rebellious to look cool and piss off my parents, etc. They also assume that I'm just angry all the time (to be fair, punk music can be pretty goddamn angry).
I'm not an anarchist, I'm pretty liberal in my politics, generally favoring somewhat of a large government, with the exception of a few areas. Again, like my fashion sense, I probably thought it was cool when I was younger, but there's a lot more to it. I find meaning in the lyrics and I find pleasure in how the music sounds. I can get angry and lose my temper sure, but I don't go around trashing everything in sight in some beer-fueled punk rage or something. It's just a good way to release emotions; listen to music by someone who felt the same thing at one point.
18-Year-Old-Virgin: I'm 19 now, and have had sex, but at one point I was 18 and was a virgin. This is often held with the assumption that I really really want to have sex, but am unable to. The assumption that I'm constantly trying to hook up with girls, but aren't attractive or likable enough to pull it off and get one of them in bed.
While I don't know how attractive or likable I am, I did very little to attempt to have a sexual relationship. I wanted more of the typical romantic relationships based on love (or as close to that as you can get in high school). I wasn't somebody who was really occupied with chasing sex. Horny? Yes. Trying to have sex? Not really, nah.
I'VE SHARED MY STORY, NEWGROUNDS, NOW YOU SHARE YOURS!
Bitchfest officially over. For those of you wondering what sparked this discussion about stereotyping, I watched The Breakfast Club again. Fun fact of the day for you.
