Off-Color

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Jun 13

A riddle for you: A college friend used to stuff the pockets of her overalls with fried chicken in case she got hungry while playing outside. Can you guess her skin color? (Hint… It’ll be easier than guessing how to she spells her name.)

Disclaimer: There are going to be many jokes in this post and I feel I need to preemptively explain my views on the subject matter. Don’t worry, I will type slowly so the blondes can keep up.

I’ve never felt there’s anything wrong with stereotypes. Why not, you ask? No, no, no. The real question is why do you feel stereotypes are bad?

Stereotypes, inherently, don’t come with negative stigmas in tow. They’re merely observations; how a culture or grouping of individuals is viewed by other cultures or groupings. Whether they are received as judgement or as simple fun is a matter of intent.

Stereotypes can cover race, culture, profession, religious groups, hobbies, practically anything. If there’s a Facebook group dedicated to a subject, you can be sure it has an attached stereotype or several.

You still don’t agree with me, I can tell. I’ll provide a parallel means of explanation: racism. Race is “each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics.” And what incredible distinct physical characteristics we have, too! Asians can do their acrobatics in a sandstorm without getting blinded by a single piece of sand; Africans have vocal cords of steel which can carry their voices for miles across the desert or through every cubic inch of Denny’s; Mexicans’ digestive tracts are completely immune to food poisoning or putrid drinking water; the Brits’ teeth are only so large because they’re hollow and, thus, have a natural buoyancy which lifts the person’s nose into an effortless display of arrogance; Jews’ prominent proboscises can smell a dime on a crowded New York City sidewalk from 8 blocks away.

To be racist does not immediately imply prejudice. There are 2 ways to define racism. Racism, by itself, is simply acknowledging the different races and how their defining characteristics set them apart from each other. Each race is proud of their race. To attach an individual to a specific race is attaching them to a larger network of ideas, beliefs, and histories. It’s only when prejudice and discrimination are introduced that these values become ammunition for attacking a whole culture of people who act differently than you’d like them to.

So back to stereotypes. The one thing that stereotypes do not take into account is that we are all individuals with our own garden of interests and beliefs that may have been planted by our elders as one thing but then may have grown into something else based on our own personal journeys. So every once in a while you might meet a cop who doesn’t like donuts. Or a vegetarian Republican with low blood pressure. Or a black person who doesn’t like purple drink. And so, naturally, they may be offended but, if so, I think there’s probably a more deep-seated issue at hand than just discussing their snack preferences.

I grew up in East Tennessee, right in the Appalachian Mountains. Lots of settlers ended up there, speckling the hills and valleys with cabins and makeshift homes. Any stereotype you can affix to a redneck, hillbilly, bible thumper, or “I’m my own grandpa” situation, I can provide a personalized anecdote for you. I’ve seen it all. I’ve probably even done some of it. Had a near-mullet for a number of years. Parked my car on the grass. Went to state fairs and knew how to catch a pig. And I’ll be the first one to admit to and laugh about all of them. After all, stereotypes are funny. Right?