Note: Some content of this article is set up in Indian context, and might not be understood by other readers.
You need to read this article because there is a very high probability that you are subconsciously driven by conventional or formulaic conceptions or images of a few things which are degrading to a group, a state or a caste. More often than not, it is not the fault of the people who stereotype and form an image of a particular thing that they don't want to change, but weakness of the society as a whole which fails to introspect, find loopholes in its judgemental capabilities and change.
A very pathetic form of stereotyping is the baniya stereotyping. It's a shame that even the so called ''educated'' people in most parts of the country use 'baniya' as just another word to insult someone by meaning to call them miser or the money-minded.
If you think that miserliness is quintessentially a baniya quality, you might need some help. Have you ever given a thought that the person in question may not be financially generous because he can't afford to, wants to save or have other issues that tinier brains cannot comprehend. Not all baniya's are earning like Naveen Jindal or Lakshmi Mittal (even if their surnames are in fact that). Moreover, saving money is a personal choice rather than a value inferred upon you by virtue of your caste. Stop laughing over jokes that perpetuate and worsen casteism, stand against what does not make sense and change it. Also, asking about someone’s caste or religion in the the first meeting is worse than asking about someone’s salary. I wonder why they don't teach these things in moral value classes to kids. If they do, maybe then they will grow up to be more rational individuals. Just a thought.
Now a very inappropriate question would be what is my caste. 'Tu baniya hai?' was the exact question I faced recently when I was trying to explain to a DU student to not be presumptuous against someone (someone else) before even knowing that person, just by knowing the surname.
Oh, how one simple question can hurt! One simple question but having prejudices and stigmas attached. You know what, she did teach me to not be presumptuous. I expected her to be sensible. She was supposed to be educated and reasonable, studying in one of the premier institutions of the country, but as I have been trying to say 'Exceptions are everywhere'.
Using surnames to infer someone's caste and through that, the nature, well that's ignorance and in this case, ignorance is not bliss.
On some levels, in practice, we all stereotype, but only the ones who are smart enough to understand that they might be wrong and are willing to change for the better can make a change in the society. Don't stereotypers deserve a serious social disapproval when they cross limits of holding unreasonable prejudices? Or even a friendly reality check will serve the purpose well.
Another extreme form of stereotyping is the widow stereotyping. Why does the society stereotype a widow to wear a white saree? The world wants to see her crib. Honestly, what thought would come to an ordinary person when he/she sees a happy widow with full makeup? Disapproval, in most cases. Why are white walls created around her? Doesn't she deserve to live in a colourful world? Doesn't she deserve to be happy? Although, the roots of this are deeply embedded in patriarchy, the younger generations and those who claim to be the feminist torchbearers of equality should not turn a blind eye when remarks like 'Chee yaar, teri saaree bohot simple hai, vidhwa type lag rahi hai' are made.
All thanks to bollywood - Perpetuating stereotypes since always. Just like bollywood, truth lacks in the line ''Ladkiyaan basketball nahi khel sakti''.
Simply saying, you would definitely feel depressed if in another part of the world, you and your baggage are checked more times than people of other races, just because you are a South-Asian and they suspect you may be a terrorist.
Stereotypes have a deep effect on those who fall victims to it, and that is why we should care.
A very pathetic form of stereotyping is the baniya stereotyping. It's a shame that even the so called ''educated'' people in most parts of the country use 'baniya' as just another word to insult someone by meaning to call them miser or the money-minded.
If you think that miserliness is quintessentially a baniya quality, you might need some help. Have you ever given a thought that the person in question may not be financially generous because he can't afford to, wants to save or have other issues that tinier brains cannot comprehend. Not all baniya's are earning like Naveen Jindal or Lakshmi Mittal (even if their surnames are in fact that). Moreover, saving money is a personal choice rather than a value inferred upon you by virtue of your caste. Stop laughing over jokes that perpetuate and worsen casteism, stand against what does not make sense and change it. Also, asking about someone’s caste or religion in the the first meeting is worse than asking about someone’s salary. I wonder why they don't teach these things in moral value classes to kids. If they do, maybe then they will grow up to be more rational individuals. Just a thought.
Now a very inappropriate question would be what is my caste. 'Tu baniya hai?' was the exact question I faced recently when I was trying to explain to a DU student to not be presumptuous against someone (someone else) before even knowing that person, just by knowing the surname.
Oh, how one simple question can hurt! One simple question but having prejudices and stigmas attached. You know what, she did teach me to not be presumptuous. I expected her to be sensible. She was supposed to be educated and reasonable, studying in one of the premier institutions of the country, but as I have been trying to say 'Exceptions are everywhere'.
Using surnames to infer someone's caste and through that, the nature, well that's ignorance and in this case, ignorance is not bliss.
On some levels, in practice, we all stereotype, but only the ones who are smart enough to understand that they might be wrong and are willing to change for the better can make a change in the society. Don't stereotypers deserve a serious social disapproval when they cross limits of holding unreasonable prejudices? Or even a friendly reality check will serve the purpose well.
Another extreme form of stereotyping is the widow stereotyping. Why does the society stereotype a widow to wear a white saree? The world wants to see her crib. Honestly, what thought would come to an ordinary person when he/she sees a happy widow with full makeup? Disapproval, in most cases. Why are white walls created around her? Doesn't she deserve to live in a colourful world? Doesn't she deserve to be happy? Although, the roots of this are deeply embedded in patriarchy, the younger generations and those who claim to be the feminist torchbearers of equality should not turn a blind eye when remarks like 'Chee yaar, teri saaree bohot simple hai, vidhwa type lag rahi hai' are made.
All thanks to bollywood - Perpetuating stereotypes since always. Just like bollywood, truth lacks in the line ''Ladkiyaan basketball nahi khel sakti''.
Simply saying, you would definitely feel depressed if in another part of the world, you and your baggage are checked more times than people of other races, just because you are a South-Asian and they suspect you may be a terrorist.
Stereotypes have a deep effect on those who fall victims to it, and that is why we should care.
