Written By: Mayowa Anowo
A ‘mad man’ once said “If you tell a lie long enough it will be believed as truth”. This is true of stereotypes.
A stereotype is a model accepted by everyone after a while. It is an image/belief generally accepted to be correct right and most appropriate. As a matter of fact, we live in a world where the stereotype is an unconscious puppet master and a deciding factor for the actions and inactions of so many people.
Let’s pause and take examples. When you flip through a fashion magazine, there is a model of women’s bodies that the media portrays as the perfect physique – the slim, curvy and overtly sensually dressed female; for the man it is the tall dark and Chiseled handsome man – the beauty stereotype.
In business, an example stereotype will be a top of class college graduate, who ascends the company ladder . His image looks something like a man wearing a three piece suit, sporting an expensive wristwatch and a garage with fancy cars. That’s the success stereotype.
What about finding love? The happily ever after model and the belief that love is sweet once and forever. Is this true?
The only bright side to streotyping is that the public model helps create an image to set goals for those who are not sure but want to be part of something and achieve success.
Aside that, there are people who are burying themselves everyday and trying to be different from their true identities all for public image, stereotypes and society models.
The striking essence of this frivolity, is that stereotypes changes with time. Its obvious that fashion, music,businesses fashion etc have changed rapidly. We now know entrepreneurs who run organisations without offices, white collar jobs, and college education. Love is being redefined(this is extensive!)and so much more.
My big picture is – its not bad to be different. Sometimes, being a misfit might just be uniqueness, looking odd may be a hidden underlying gift, going against the grain may be an omen for charting new paths. I believe everyone should enjoy their difference, because everyone is special in some way.
