RANT #2: Labels and Stereotypes

sky • 16 March 2012 at 11:47 PM

Another rant, I did say there was going to be more.

Labels, what's the point of having them? Seriously? Obviously to separate others into groups, but we're not canned soup, it's a false judgment! People label each other into groups but not only that but labels come with stereotypes.

If you come in wearing eyeliner and in a black outfit, you would be considered 'Goth' or 'Emo' who like to "cut themselves".

...What? So coming in wearing THAT you automatically assume I cut myself? Ever consider the fact that I just like wearing this type of clothing? And...cutting myself? Truth is, I have (NOT with a knife or razor), but I'm not the only one, in fact most people are such hypocrites in my school, I can point out a whole bunch of people who've cut them self and yet they make fun of other kids for cutting themselves and calling them Emo.

Emo is short for emotional. Most people I know are emotional, mostly melodramatic, if you aren't emotional well congratulations you're cold hearted! - No offense, but there must've been a point in your life when you've cried.

- Continued in next post as @Fate -

#SkyRants

fate • 16 March 2012 at 11:48 PM

There are other labels leading to racism, too.
For instance I used to be made fun of because I'm Asian.
I'm not that smart when it comes to math class but this one kid would say, "You're Asian. Aren't you suppose to know this stuff?", or they'd say, "Hong pong chong hong dong ching powwww!", sorry but I don't speak Panease.

Feel free to express anything relating to this topic.
Either you agree or disagree, but I'm not looking for an argument.

Deleted • 16 March 2012 at 11:55 PM

@Sky
I agree 100%

Since I was born where I was I'm either a druggie or a prostitute, apparently.

And since I'm a twin, I can read my brother's mind and feel his pain. I hate this stereotype more than anything. Like people at my school hold up a mirror and say, "Hey have you met my TWIN!" I bugs me. OK. We were born an hour apart, and yeah sometimes he does things that I think about doing. Like taking the last Popsicle. -.-

People refer to us as "the twins"
"Tell THE TWINS"
"Pick THE TWINS"
"Make THE TWINS do it."

WE HAVE NAMES..! >_<
It just annoys me.

People always say "You have a twin? THAT'S SO COOL!" No. It's not. Because of all of these stereotype IDIOTS in the world. We used to be really close, but now, we never talk because if we're around each other some idiot will scream "HEY, IT'S THE TWINS!!!"

dreamer • 16 March 2012 at 11:56 PM

In the fifth grade, I did a skit in a talent show with some of my friends. My character had no life, no emotion, no age, et catera.

So I dressed up in all black, and all the boys literally kept coming up to me saying:
"Ooooh Danielle! Are you, like, a goth/emo mugger?"
"Since when did you go goth?"
There's this thing called 'acting', genius. XD
Even this year, for a contest, my group was called the Rockstars. My character was, yet again, a goth character. So I dressed up in all black and at the end of the day I had to put on black makeup for the costume.
All the older kids were staring at me weirdly in the hall, and some people were like: "The no name returns!" "Are you emo?" And such. Drives me insane.
It's just the 'motivation' for my character. Just because I wear black doesn't make me goth or emo! Even if I was emo, I'd be proud.

cream • 16 March 2012 at 11:58 PM

@sky / @fate I can totally relate to this! Well okay I was going to post on your other board but im I guess what you call "popular" but I'm not mean or anything! My friends sometimes are but I'm always like "Stop that's so mean" or whatevers but sometimes I'm socially awkward so I'm not sure how that works out o.o but if anyone one ever needs a friend to talk to I'm all ears! ^^ anyways back to this conversation I can relate to this because I'm also Asian like many on EC people, so people at my school use to be erm *bleep* and think their cool but honestly I got over it and no one even does that anymore. Also I make fun of myself too not because of my nationality but of my stupidy and when I say something weird. This post did not make any sense when I read it over again so bravo to those who can actually understand me right now ><

sky • 17 March 2012 at 12:11 AM

@Dawnie

I had these two friends that are twin sisters, and they were both in my class, which you could probably already tell that it did not work out well.

I call some of my friends my twin only because I find similarities between us and that they are like sisters to me.
Instead of calling them my "twin" or "sister", I create a nickname for them.

Example: I call @Pendulum Kupo❤️

@Dreamer

Sixth grade the only clothing I had were all black.
Because my favorite store then had been Hot Topic and I would wear certain band tees, and I'd wear eyeliner because considering I'm an insomniac I have bags under my eyes so I like to cover them up, otherwise I'd feel naked, so after a while people thought I was Emo and people started spreading a rumor saying, "Whoever hangs out with her will turn Emo!", I'm not a disease, god.

@Cream

See, you're the type of popular people I'm okay with, but most people considered popular take advantage of that, and it's okay. I understood everything!

Deleted • 17 March 2012 at 12:14 AM

@Cream isn't mean, she's amazing. And I Luff her..! ❤️333
She's listened to all of my problems. ;D

My boyfriend-who-might-have-or-might-not-have kissed another girl while we were spending some alone time. But he's not like mean or anything. Like if someone makes fun of let's say, the person everyone calls nerdy, he'll stick up for them.

Which is I think the only reason I can stand him.

cream • 17 March 2012 at 12:20 AM

@sky Mhmm I those types of popular people your thinking about, they think they're sooo cool but please some of the girls if I took a facial cleansing wipe and swiped it across their face it probably wouldn't be so pretty. I think some chicks should just chill down a bit with the makeup, your natural beauty is nice too no matter what you think. And to be honest I did drink before and got drunk but Im never doing that ever again. Also just thinking about the side affects of smoking crap makes me want to cry. Do you ever see someone and they're all alone because they're considered fat or ugly Or something and you have the need to go over to them and just say hi but your too nervous too? I hate when I walk away when it happens to me because I always regret it and it bugs me! (I'm just going to continue to talk so if you don't feel like reading it all just read the next post;) ) I have a pet peeve, I can't stand it when I know someone's mad at me I feel terrible and I have the need to talk to that person and say I'm sorry?that was terribly off topic?tee hee I'm weird but it's okay I still love myself! xD

@dawnie Lawz luv ya Jordan!❤️

crescentfeather • 17 March 2012 at 12:21 AM

Yep.

Because of this, I've made ignoring people into an art. No response is the best response. 😋

cream • 17 March 2012 at 12:25 AM

Btw I thought I would just say this. Happy St. Party's Day everyone! Hope yours is a good one! 😉

dewpaw • 17 March 2012 at 12:44 AM

@I'm half Italian, Half Irish

I have olive skin, blue eyes, and reddish brown hair.

I get teased on a daily basis because of me being a ginger! I hate it! YES I HAVE A SOUL!!!!!

Also since Jersey shore came out people expect me to do the fist pump every 5 seconds!

pendulum • 17 March 2012 at 6:49 AM

I feel everyone's pain...

I was severely judged in highschool. For being short. For have porcelain skin that wouldn't burn but would just show freckles.

For loving Hello Kitty since I was 10. For admiring Native American culture and the people themselves. For not dating ANYONE at my school (thus rumors spread because usually guys got mad at denial and rejection and the title prostitute and relating lewd names were titled for me...)

I was pretty reserved and socially awkward but yet normal I suppose? I was called a nerd a lot because of my grades. D: I didn't stick out or was noticed until I attempted to immerse myself in school functions and activities like student government. I enjoyed it but I loathed the consequence of possibly getting noticed because I was a truly a "part" of the school. Le sigh.

This past summer, I'm ashamed to admit that where I live, it's almost encouraged to party, to drink, and definitely to do drugs. I've tried drugs but nothing that can harm me and I'd say don't do it for the advice of others. I have drank so much before and I don't think that's a good idea. But some of you will understand that if you have a small class size or just are close knit because of numbers in high school, you get invited to all these grad parties and unfortunately I was eager to "drink" because of my current situations and it will be literally the last time you will see them. At least from my experience.

ethereal • 17 March 2012 at 6:54 AM

(This is pendulum)

And just for the fact that I admitted to drinking and doing drugs doesn't mean I am a bad person...unless the Egg Cave community has resulted in judgement. Eh, I can take the hit if so.

Many parents here condone drinking as not a big deal, you just aren't allowed to drive anywhere, and they take your keys.

People will try to pick things to hurt you. And I am talking to all of you.

If you can't afford what's in for clothing, screw it. Literally.
I loved these sweaters and moccasins I got for Christmas and they weren't name brand. I'm talking the big knit sweaters. They were in colors of dark blues, purples, and greens. Just because it isn't Hollister, or American Eagle doesn't MEAN ANYTHING. That bothered me too. People pick friends because of how much their PARENTS have. It's so prejudiced and terrible and it actually broke my heart tons and tons of times in school.

In the end, I was known as the artsy, indie girl. Whatever that means. Better than to be known as scandalous which is usually the easiest rumor to start in EVERY school.

cynt5100 • 19 March 2012 at 5:17 PM

@sky. I'm from Canada and when ever I pass by an American, their all like "ooot and aboot eh?" or "wheres your Polar Bear?" And "Do you play Hockey?" Honestly, I use "eh?" when I say "I know eh?" to agree to something, and nothing else. I don't play hockey, because theirs no girls full-out contact leuge in my area. And you only see a polar Bear in my area if you've been drinking or are high, so kinda shut up.

asi • 20 March 2012 at 12:05 AM

@Sky And people who wear glasses ._.
Immediately get dumped with the nerds, and people expect them to be smart too ><
Glad I got contacts.

I found what you wrote about black funny. I'd think that if people who stereotype goth or emo under just that, if they came to NZ, they'd find at least half the population goth/emo XD
My friend says that overseas, people wear WAY less black than we do X3

... I've known two people with absolutely no emotions, stone cold! 😃
/shot

stellalunagirl • 20 March 2012 at 2:58 AM

@sky

I think labelling and stereotyping is something EVERYONE does. I don't think we can help making judgements like that. I mean, when we see someone, we only see them for who they are on the outside, not know their entire life story. So really, we can't HELP but make judgements based on outer appearance or behaviour. It's the way we present ourselves.

However, I'm not saying we SHOULD judge people based on appearance or outer behaviour, it's just something that humans do. We make judgements based on the things we see or hear happening around us, so it's kind of impossible for people to stop judging each other.

In saying that however, labelling and the formation of "cliques" is somewhat of a choice that people make. That, I agree is unfair. But, I have been doing some study for the brain and memory lately and it has been proven, that humans sort out memories and information into groups. I can't help but wonder if this is why we automatically 'sort' or 'file' someone into a group based on what we have seen or what 'criteria' they have met.

Again, I'm not supporting stereotyping but perhaps its something totally out of our control?