Stereotypes

Today I am writing my first blog about the stereotypes that we encounter on a daily basis. I am writing this on behalf of those who are categorized on a daily basis and for others to learn about it. I am 25 years old and have dealt with these stereotypes basically my whole life. I was raised, against my will, as a Jehovah's Witness. This entails being constantly viewed as a cult member, a door to door salesman and someone who disagrees with saving a life with a blood transfusion if needed. Well unfortunately these are stereotypes that are real in the Jehovah's Witness community. On a day to day basis I was mocked and ridiculed for my parents beliefs that was forced on to my life.
Unfortunately this is an example of when stereotypes are real. But what about that kid you see everyday with his pants down to his knees? Or what about that homeless person who is begging for change on your downtown corner? Should we not ask our self, "What made this person dress like that?" or "How can I help this person?" In today's world we are so caught up with our own lives, that we tend to look past the questions of why, and how and take the easy road of just stereotyping someone. For all we know the kid with his pants down to his knees, could be from a low income family and has to wear his older brothers clothes that have been passed down to him. Or the homeless person who possibly lost everything due to being fraud ed for their life savings or a wrong business decision that they made, not the stereotype that the homeless are all drug addicts that don't care and use tax payers resources. This takes everyone to "look outside the box" as it were, and ask yourself some questions before jumping to conclusions and labeling people with stereotypes. You never know what that person has gone through in their lives, and why they are in the position they are in. What if you need their help someday? Think about that.