Don't Call Me White

First off, I wanted to clarify a statement I made in my last post that seems to have been misleading. When I offered a snow cone to anyone that could list a Beatles reference in the comments section, I meant that if any one can pick up on a Beatles reference in the blog and make note of it in the comments section, then they win a snow cone. I'd also like to expand that to pretty much any band/singer, movie, or any other cultural or historical reference or quote. Sorry for the confusion.

I recently went into a local pizza place to pick up a pie for a friend's rehearsal dinner. My buddy and I went to the counter to pick up a pizza that he had already ordered over the phone. He was wearing a mesh ball cap backwards that forced his shaggy hair down over his eyes, a distraction that he simultaneously ignored and drew attention to by squinting. His accent seemed to indicate that he liked to surf in his free time and probably missed about half of his classes. He remained aloof during most of our interaction which included a search for an ink pen followed by mild laughter and extra squinting upon discovery. Don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to sound negative about this jolly employee. He did his job well, and I have no complaints about his performance or his product. But I did start thinking, of course this guy works at a pizza place.

Before I continue, let me just say that I think it is very inconsiderate to judge a person based on the their stereotype or the group of people you think that he/she falls into. That is in no way the purpose of this article.

I think that almost everyoe would agree that stereotypes do exist, whether right or wrong. Most would agree that they exist for a reason. There are enough twenty something year old's with bleached blonde hair running around the San Fernando Valley in convertables that you know what I mean when I say "Valley Girl." Likewise, we all know that Christians are a closed minded, judgemental sort of people that set rediculous standards that even they don't keep. (For the record, both of these are equally offensive to their recipiants.) So, assuming that stereotypes do exist because of some people, I began to wonder if some people exists because of a stereotype.

What I mean to say is this. How much do people consider, whether conciously or sub-consiously, the stereotype that they want to fit into when making decisions about their life. Consider the demographic that a former co-worker of mine called the "Granola." They may go hiking once a year, or they may not. They'll eat at McDonald's when they have to and shop and the Wal-Mart to save money. But, they will certainly be wearing a beard, either green or khaki shorts, some sort of comfort-flex hiking boots with thick socks, and probably some sort of knit sweater or rain repelant zip up vest. Some people would call this a "poser", but that isn't the guy I'm talking about. This guy actually drives a fifteen year old Volvo station wagon with Kashi's in the glove box in case he really does get to go camping like he's always wanated to.

I do think there are some benifits to trying to line up with a certain stereotype. Mostly, it lets you publicly state who you line up with idealogically or philosophically. Or, your black t-shirt may express how you (and all your other friends) don't line up with anyone. Its kind of like a political bumper sticker, but more subtle and ambiguous.

The problem with this, if it even happens, is that it pins you down too much, way too much. Its the same reason that it is innapropriate to make conclusions about someone based on the stereotype you think they fit into. The stereotype only completely represents a very small percentage of people. Most people are just tossed into that group based on one or two of the major criteria for it. If one gets caught up in trying to line up with a certain demographic too much, he may start to make decisions that he wouldn't have made otherwise. His judgement will become clouded as his own thoughts begin to wrestle with what he thinks he ought to think.

Let's say that a new Christian wants to be a good Christian, so he starts doing all the things that his new Christian friends are doing. He doesn't go to movies. He always dresses a lot nicer than he needs to. He always votes Republican. And, he always prays before his Taco Bell. The danger is that he isn't doing what wants to do. He's doing what he thinks someone else thinks he ought to do. His thinking is sincere, but not certainly his own.




Please comment on whether or not this post made sense. I read it again, and I'm not sure that it did. But, I'd spent to much time on it to delete it. It may require a Part II.