Stereotyping others distorts reality

Have you treated someone a particular way because of where he worked, his age, race, gender, social status or financial state?

I'm sure I've committed this injustice many times. But I've since learned stereotyping is judgmental, unfair and deceptive. A recent talkwith a representative from a prestigious book company opened my eyes and changed my perspective.

As I placed my order for books, I assumed my most businesslike voice and expected the salesperson to respond accordingly. After all, she stood for a sophisticated and recognized company. And I always held visions in my head of how someone should operate within a certain environment. I assumed when one worked for a particular company, she must be viewed as the organization, interacting in a competent manner and keeping right to the point. She was there to serve a purpose in the establishment. Consequently, I expected to hear a fast-talking and efficient representative.

However, as I placed my order, it seemed the clerk took an unusually long time to record my pertinent information. I was busy and didn't have time for the delay. I grumbled to myself how dawdling and unprofessional she was. After all, she worked for an esteemed organization and ought to be more capable. I was stunned when she remarked she was from a particular town -- the same town I was from -- and then carried on a friendly and warm conversation while filling my order.

Slowly my impatience subsided and my irritation turned to affection. I became aware that regardless of where one is employed, organizations are made up of, first of all, people. The woman at the other end of the phone line, while being required to represent her company appropriately, was still an individual with hopes and feelings, like me. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:13-14.

When we interact with representatives of companies, churches, or other mediums of association, we need to forget the person is connected with a particular establishment and treat him, foremost, as a unique human being and a child of God.

People possess many images of teens, and images are what stereotypes are. We often speak of how irreponsible teenagers are, how selfish and materialistic. All they think of is themselves. I work closely with our church youth group. The youth are anything but selfish, materialistic and unfeeling. They epitomize Christianity by their spirituality and readiness to help and respect others. No two teenagers or people, in general, are alike. Even though groups may have some qualities in common, they are still separate beings.

Stereotyping is, in truth, a form of judgment. Scripture admonishes people to cease judging others when it states: "Judge not so that you will not be judged." Matthew 7:1.

People often hold stereotypes of age and consider everyone over or under a certain age equal in health and performance. Age isn't the cause of declining health and immobility, rather, disease is responsible. People mature differently and should not have parameters placed on them because of a number. It pains me greatly to see elderly people treated like children and talked down to. One needs to remember older people are usually the same inside their mind and heart as they once were, barring illness. Age stereotyping can certainly be deceptive, detrimental and discriminatory. When elders are stereotyped and unfairly categorized, what a loss of gifts to the world.

We are judging others when we place them in boxes and classify them without first evaluating their circumstances and uniqueness. Stereotyping is wrong, for everyone has the right to his own voice. I agree with Romans 14:5, which says, "One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind."

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.