How often do you stereotype someone? Stop and think about it. Everyone has done it. Stereotyping is just a fancy way of saying judge a person based on what others believe. While some stereotypes are funny, like how Asians are good at math and love rice, others can be seen as very insulting.

For example, at my school, there is a Middle Eastern boy. Every day, he is faced with people calling him a terrorist and asking if he's going to blow up the school. How do you think he feels, being judged based on his race? There are also several Hispanics at my school. I once overheard a boy asking one of the Hispanics if they were even herelegally, if they jumped the fence, if they had a green card, etc. On a personal note, I have faced stereotyping myself. My family is from Germany, and I was once called a Nazi by someone I hardly knew when he asked where I was from. Based on the country I am from, he instantly judged me and labeled me as a Nazi. After this incident, I tried my hardest to stop stereotyping.

Stereotyping may never go away. There is, however, a way you can help to try to stop it. Think before you speak. Think, "If I say this, will this person feel judged or discriminated against?" Would you like to be judged based on your race, orientation, hair color, etc.? Not all blondes are dumb, and not all African-Americans are good at basketball. Get to know the person before judging them. Don't decide who you try to make friends with based on the outside. The inside is what counts. Whatever you do, don't judge a book by its cover.