The First 10 Seconds

Studies have shown that a person, within the first ten seconds of meeting someone, has already created a judgment in his head about the other person. Moreover, these judgments that the person makes are more likely to think negatively of the person. Why do these judgments occur? The answer is stereotypes. Whether we know it or not, stereotypes affect all of the judgments that we make on people. It's self-conscious, it's almost second nature. What baffles me is how much these stereotypes affect people on a day to day basis. Even at Troy High, there are times when I notice other students ridiculing each other solely based on their skin color or gender. This is plain wrong. Stereotypes are what cause people to judge each other so negatively and cause animosity between people. The unfair judgments on Native Americans are depicted in Sherman Alexie's short story "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven", when the 7-11 clerk is with Sherman a Native American and senses that his "dark skin and long, black hair of mine was dangerous" (Alexie 183). The clerk does not know anything about Alexie except for the fact that he is Native American, and automatically, almost subconsciously, fears Alexie solely based on the stereotype that Native Americans are thieves. Instead of basing ones view of someone else on the racist assumptions of society, one should always strive to acquaint and really get to know someone until they can make a fair and just decision about the person. Everyone has a different story, a different perspective, and one should not judge another until they have truly understood and comprehend their story. History also tells many stories about individuals or groups being judged based solely on stereotypes; the most striking and outrageous being against African Americans. Africans were judged solely based on their skin color, and thus the white man deemed them racially inferior and able to be taken advantage of for their benefit. Even after slaves were emancipated and given the status as "Americans", they were still treated harshly and as inferiors. It wasn't until Martin Luther King Jr. led his nonviolent resistance for Civil Rights that Africans were given a truly "equal" status with other Americans. Stereotyping and the subconscious judging of man based on their appearance is a problem that has plagued America and human race as long as history. Instead of judging one based off of their race or gender, people should strive to understand and connect with each other before making judgments about the person.