Stereotypes are always bad, right? Or are they?
Stereotype is a lovely word with parts. The first part, prefix, comes from the New Latin as is actually stere-. This is not the same as stereo in regard to hearing form two sources. This prefix means solid or solid body. Understanding this changes our view of stereotype slightly because now we see that its intended meaning was to be a solid type. So what is a type?
There are many definitions for type, but two of the more interesting ones relate to our word study. A type can be a person or thing believed to foreshadow another person or thing. This meaning often relates to various things in the Old Testament of the Bible as they related to various things in the New Testament of the Bible. The second definition is even closer to home: a typical and often superior specimen.
So a stereotype is a solid representation or a solid typical specimen or a solid example or a solid. This does not sound too bad. So why the negative connotation? These two word parts were not put together to explain people but to give a name to a new thing. The think was a metal plate cast (or made) form a printing surface. It was a solid example. It was unchangeable.
This is great for printing, but no so good for people. Becoming aware of our stereotypes and evaluating their effect on us is vital if we are going to make any kind of a significant impact on helping others.
Sites such as Cultural Savvy can help you learn how to identify your stereotypes.
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