Spoof Ad-Stereotype

research blog 5

Thiederman, Sondra. "Stop Stereotyping: Overcome Your Worst Diversity Enemy | Monster." Career

Advice, Interview Questions, Salary Comparisons, and Resume Tips from Monster. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. <http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/Stop-Stereotyping/article.aspx>.

In Sondra Theiderman’s article “Stop Stereotyping: Overcome Your Worst Diversity Enemy,” we learn that stereotyping is a factor in our life that can be hard to overcome. Thiederman states, “The most powerful source of stereotypes, however, is our own negative experiences.” We grow up experiencing situations which later in life lead to stereotypes. For example, if we experience a man being sexist, we then tend to think all men are sexist. At young age we form to the situations we experience and have throughout the rest of our lives. As much as we try to stray away from these experiences, knowing that not all men are sexist, other factors in our lives plant stereotypes within; “Our family, friends, coworkers and the media all easily implant these inflexible categories on our impressionable minds and hearts,” explains Thiederman. But in order to overcome stereotyping, we need to take action and realize the effects on our lives that lead us to believing stereotypes. As Thiederman explains, “Just because one person takes advantage of status does not mean they all will.” We need to come to terms with ourselves and realize that one person is not the same. Everyone has their own beliefs and opinions, so we should not stereotype and categorize people into such groups. Thiederman also gives three steps on how to eliminate stereotypes; Identify Stereotypes, Look for Consistency, and Push Stereotypes Aside. “One challenge to ridding ourselves of stereotypes is the fact that we are unaware of what they are,” states Theiderman. We are blind to stereotyping and to realize it is to overcome it. Once we can identify stereotypes, we can look for the consistency. Sondra explains, “Ask yourself: "Do I have these reactions before or after I have a chance to know the individual?" If the answer is before, these are your stereotypes.” Once we are then aware of the identities and consistency, we can then move to pushing stereotypes aside. How we learn things when we are young is through practice and repetition. Sondra puts, “Stereotyping is a habit. Just as it is learned through repetition, it can be unlearned through practice.” Stereotyping is a learned habit and can become slowly “unlearned” by forming new habits of ridding stereotypes.

Sondra’s three concepts on how to let go of stereotyping, Identify Stereotypes, Look for Consistency and Push Stereotypes Aside, I found very useful. It is hard to just stop stereotyping especially if you have experiences from when you were younger, but with these steps make it easier to do. To identify what you are doing and the thoughts you are thinking make it easy to notice the “bad habits” and judgments you are making about others. Seeing what situations and experience are the same or consistent help you identify what is a stereotype/judgment and being aware of your judgments helps you to push those thoughts aside.

I chose this article because after learning about what stereotypes can do to others, I wanted to learn about preventing or eliminating stereotypes as much as possible. This article gave simple steps on how you can identify and eliminate stereotypes and judgments from your everyday life. Sondra touches on how experiences from when you’re younger can stay with you when you are older. I liked the examples she used to show how those experiences basically can be imprinted in your life and being able to notice it will help you eliminate it. 

Research log 4

MacDonald, Gregg. "Cyber-bullying Defies Traditional School Bully Stereotype." The Washington Post:

National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post. 02 Sept. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/01/AR2010090102648.html>.

In Gregg MacDonald’s article “Cyber-bullying Defies Traditional School Bully Stereotype”, he explains to us that bullying itself is a stereotype. In today’s world, we are very much consumed in the technology around us. Teens have always faced bullying and stereotypes in school, but with the technology surrounding us, it has become more vicious. Ilana Reyes, a high school counselor, says “It is so easy to say negative things through texting and online because you are not face-to-face with the person you're talking about.” Research shows that more girls have become cyber-bullies than boys, girls are more likely than boys to partake and experience cyber-bullying, and girls are more often than boys shown to report such bullying to a teacher or parent. Studies also show that “cyber-bullying victims were almost twice as likely to have attempted suicide compared to youth who had experienced no cyber-bullying.” Some cases have been so bad that in Virginia, making a written threat, including text messaging, e-mails, instant messaging and internet, is a Class 6 felony. Linda Crabtree, a friend of a mother who lost her child to committing suicide due to cyber-bullying, has decided to step in and do what she can about the bullying. She wants to learn the online “teen lingo” in hopes of spreading the words to parents about what is going on online.

After reading this article, it made me realize that there are even stereotypes about bullying. Due to all the technology, it has led to cyber-bullying- using information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cellphones, text messaging, instant messaging and Web sites to support deliberate, hostile behavior intended to harm others. Now with this technology created it makes bullying as easy as pushing a button. It was also interesting to read that in Virginia it is a felony for harassment and bullying in texts, e-mails and instant messaging. I feel that more states should follow this law, too many kids are being harassed and taking their lives over something that could easily be prevented.

I chose this article because I didn’t realize that certain stereotypes were a stereotype itself. I have learned a lot about the role of stereotyping but would still like to know more ways people are trying to prevent it. Like Virginia, are there any other states that take cyber-bullying as serious as making it into a felony?  Or are there anymore groups and parents such as Linda that have created ways to help parents prevent the discrimination and harassment that go along with bullying and stereotyping.

Research Blog 3

Stump, Scott. "Teen’s Parents: After Suicide, He’s Still Being Bullied - TODAY People - TODAY.com."

                Today. TODAY.com: Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Natalie Morales - TODAY Show Video,

News, Recipes, Health, Pets. Web. 15 Oct. 2011. <http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44684938/ns/today-today_people/t/gay-teens-parents-bullying-continued-after-his-suicide?GT1=43001>.

In Scott Stumps article, “Teen’s Parents: After Suicide, He’s Still Being Bullied”, he explains that 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who committed suicide on Sept. 18^th, is still being bullied. Jamey posted videos online about being bullied and harassed for being gay and also contributed to the “It Gets Better Project”, which aims to support gay and lesbian teens who are discriminated and harassed. Jamey would openly talk to his parents about being bullied in middle school and then “became more withdrawn about it” when he entered high school. All Jamey wanted was to be heard and to have someone listen. In one of his last online posts Jamey said, “I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens. What do I have to do so that people will listen to me?’’ Jamey made a shirt for Lady Gaga reading, “It Gets Better”, and after his death Gaga dedicated a song to him at a concert stating,” “Let’s do this one for Jamey,’’ and later adding, “Jamey, I know you’re up there looking at us. You’re not a victim.’’ After Jamey committed suicide, the bullying wasn’t over. Jamey’s sister attended a dance when a Lady Gaga song came on and Jamey’ friends started chanting for him and the bullies that harassed him started chanting, “You’re better off dead!” and, “We’re glad you’re dead.” Jamey’s father, Tim, stated in the interview, “I don’t know why anyone would do that. They have no heart, that’s basically what it comes down to.” Jamey’s suicide captured Ricky Martin’s attention as he tweeted, “How many lives do we have to lose to finally stop the harassment, hatred, the bigotry and the abuse?’’  Police are now investigating if Jamey was a victim of harassment and bullying which lead to his suicide. Jamey’s father stated, “If you believe in homosexuality is right or wrong, that’s your right as an American, but it’s no reason to bully someone and hate them.” Jamey’s parents want to carry on Jamey’s message and get across to others that bullying is a serious subject.

In this article, many disturbing comments were made about Jamey and who he was as a person. The students that bullied and harassed him even after his death really shows how heartless they are just as, Tim, Jamey’s father said. Those students were stereotyping him for being gay, which I do believe lead to his suicide. The police that are investigating if the harassment had anything to do with Jamey’s suicide is shocking to me. In my opinion, it is obvious that it had something to do with Jamey’s suicide. From this article, I also learned about “It Gets Better Project”. I didn’t know this group was around, and I think it is great what they are doing for teens.

I chose this article due to the mass amounts of bullying to Jamey, both alive and dead. It really captured my attention to read that even after students went as far as making someone’s life so bad that they commit suicide, the don’t even stop after he has passed. I would like to keep reading up on acts of bullying and stereotyping. From this article I learned about the “It Gets Better Project”, and hope to learn about more programs that deal with bullying and stereotyping.

Research blog# 2

ALBERTA, EISEMAN. "The View From: Fourth and Fifth Grade; Between City and Suburb, Helping

                Children Make New Friends." New York Times 07 Dec. 1997: 2. Academic Search Premier.

                EBSCO. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.

In Eiseman Alberta’s article, “The View From: Fourth and Fifth Grade, Between City and Suburb, Helping Children Make New Friends”, she explains how important it is for children at a young age to learn to be friends with kids not only from their school, but between suburban and urban areas. They first started their tasks by gathering one hundred fourth grade students in an auditorium to watch different examples of stereotypes and discriminations. The students were encouraged to ask questions and make comments on the skits and even “booed” at the bad parts. They then created an orientation day which introduced the Historical Society’s “We’re Writing Connecticut History,” which is a program that combines 16 different fourth and fifth grade students from Hartford metropolitan area. They were scheduled for 13 daylong visits to focus on history, and required them to interact with each other. ''The purpose of the program is to build sustained interaction between urban and suburban kids,'' said Christine Ermenc, head of youth programs for the Historical Society. During the program, students were broken up into small groups to get to know one another, which most were confused about, but then talked about their likes and dislikes. ''We consider our program a baby step -- a half-step to another half-step,'' said David M. Brown, interdistrict coordinator for the program. Mr. Brown, who says  he is very committed to this program also states, ''I wanted to get involved in the anti-segregation issue. I would like to see racial balance in the schools achieved by whatever means are possible. It's good for the kids and good for the adults.”

In this article, it is brought up that teaching children at a young age that segregation is okay and that nothing is wrong with it. I do believe it is very smart to teach children these important things at a young age that could later lead to harsh stereotyping as they grow up. The concept of bringing urban and suburban children together to learn and study is good way of getting the point across of anti-segregation without making it solely about the idea of anti-segregation. I found it interesting that they got this concept across without directly touching on it.

I chose this article because I strongly believe that subjects taught at a young age stick longer through life. If this activity was taught in a high school or middle school it wouldn’t work as well due to cliques and stereotypes already being made. Doing this to a group of fourth and fifth graders is the perfect age also because they are just learning and forming, without knowing, groups of friends and cliques. This helped me with my question of what awareness is going around for stereotypes, but it still doesn’t assure me that stereotyping is being taken seriously. I would like to find out more of what precautions or disciplinary actions are being made when stereotyping and bullying takes place.

Research Blog-1

Wilchins, Riki. "Teenage terrorism." Advocate 874 (2002): 72. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO.  

              Web. 9 Oct. 2011.

In Riki Wilchins article, “Teenage Terrorism”, she writes about wanting to get the point across to teachers, parents, and administration about how serious stereotyping in schools can be. Wilchins states, “Too often we shrug off stereotypes and name-calling as just another part of growing up.” Stereotypes can be harmful and can end up in tragic situations. Riki then gives three stories about teenagers who have dealt with stereotypes and bullying. Her first story is about 13-year-old Aaron Vays, who moved from Russia to New York to pursue is figure skating dreams. At school, he was punched, kicked and tripped for doing something he loved and was very good at. After reporting the harassment to the school, Aaron was transferred to a new school and the bullies were never punished. At his new school, Aaron was again bullied and got beaten up so badly he was hospitalized. Riki’s next story was about Charles “Andy” Williams who was sentenced 50 years in prison for a school shooting that left two students dead. He was “frequently taunted as ‘wimp’ and ‘bitch’” by classmates but yet “didn’t know what sparked his outburst.” Last, Wilchins tells a story about 18-year-old transgender Ukea Davis and 19-year-old Stephanie Thomas. Both dropped out of school due to harassment and worked secure full-time jobs. On August 12, Ukea and Stephanie were sitting in a car when another car pulled up beside them and opened fire. Both suffered from more than 10 bullets to the head, neck and chest. Wilchins says that “86% of teens report that there is bullying and taunting at school,” yet some people can just dismiss it like it’s nothing.

I knew that there was bullying in schools and was hoping to figure out if stereotyping had a role in such bullying. After reading Riki Wilchins article “Teenage Terrorism”, I have learned that yes, stereotyping does play a role in bullying. Ukea and Stephanie would still be alive today if they weren’t stereotyped and teased for being transgendered. Aaron Vays wouldn’t have been hospitalized as a child, and the two classmates of Charles Williams would still be alive too if he hadn’t lashed out like did. I’ve heard of stories like these vaguely, but now reading about them makes me shocked. To also read that 86% of teens report bullying or taunting makes me wonder why it still gets dismissed as “just another part of growing up.”  

I chose this source because the titled really captured my attention because the tragic stories of bullying and stereotyping in schools really is “teenage terrorism.” After reading these stories, I would still like to look into the roles of stereotyping and bullying to see if it’s more than what I’ve heard and read. I also want to know what awareness is going around for such acts of bullying and stereotyping and see if it is taken seriously or not. Middle school and high school is a tough time for teens, and to throw bullies and stereotypes into the mix makes it worse.