When I was younger, my stepmother used to say she hated country music. She said it was too depressing. When I was in high school I wore (and still wear) a trench coat. My father automatically thought of Columbine. I walk with a limp and people automatically call me weak. My friends and I wear black and many people think “They’re Up To No Good”.

These are examples of stereotyping. What is stereotyping?, you may ask.

The best way to prevent ignorance is with knowledge. The best way to prevent stereotyping is by exploring and doing research instead of making assumptions.

Often times stereotyping alienates certain people or groups simply based on assumptions and ignorant preconceived notions. Instead of stereotyping, my advice is educate yourself instead of blindly taking someone else’s hearsay opinion of what something is about.

You might learn something new.