Thursday, April 2, 2009
Blog #7
I think it is not only the police officer's fault but society's fault as a whole. I think people make assumptions about people because of stereotypes. This is why the police officer in Dallas acted the way he did. These stereotypes are taught to us from every where in society. They are in our movies, in our television, all of our media. They are taught to us by our parents and by our friends. Maybe not directly but indirectly we all recieve these messages that create our stereotypes. He was acting on a stereotype he had picked up over the years and then abused his power as a police officer because of this stereotype. Society needs to change so that there are less stereotypes. More people need to accept everyone as a true individual with their own story and their own life. They shouldn't be put into groups because of other people's stereotypes.
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You make a great point I do agree with you when you say that it's not only the departments fault but everybody else's because of what we are taught...we are taught to make assumptions soemtimes by nature and most of the time because it's taught to us by everyone else. Friends, family, schools, and the media for sure. I think in order to understand and be able to listen to others you have to be willing to recognize your own intentions towards others; job or not...Great response!
ReplyDeleteI think the police are acting on stereotypes. I don’t know if its’ the job or if it’s the type of people who go after that job. I know its wrong and it needs to stop.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's a huge problem. What's the solution? How do we begin acting differently? As for myself, I don't think of myself as racist, or bigoted, but, am I? Do I respond to people differently depending upon their background, whatever it may be? To some extent it's appropriate, perhaps, isn't it? Like cops... I always think of them as being dangerous. They carry guns. When I am pulled over, I keep my hands on the steering wheel and make no sudden moves. I always respond with yes sir and no sir. And, as I mentioned in class, knowing some cops as I do, it doesn't make me feel very safe to be under their control; not because of the guns, etc., but because I know that they are generally paranoid people with strong attitudes about people. But, are they all like that?
ReplyDeleteYour point is great! You are right, people should be treated equally. We can’t define anyone base on their skin color, out looking, or sex. Nothing can be absolutely for the human beings. If we only adjudge people by the personal stereotypes, that’s not only unfair to the others, but also unfair to ourselves. Because of the stereotypes, we hurt someone by meaningless reasons. Because of the stereotypes, we are limited in the well and only can see a small piece of the sky. Because of the stereotypes, we also lost the chances to know more about the world and learn more about the life.
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