Stereotypes and the small-minded
I am going to use this posting to suggest a theory. I am not certain of the validity of this theory, so I am looking for feedback.
Consider those small-minded people who like to combine the word "all" with a stereotype, does their worldview and their "comfort zone" cause them to desire the very thing that they despise?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All politicians are ....." Do the people who say such things tend to vote only for those politicians who fit their closedminded mindset? For example, if the congressional representative is a certain district, does not vote for pork barrel legislation which would have benefited his state, how does the small-minded person respond?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All used car salespeople are ....." Do the people who say such things tend to patronize only those dealerships who fit their closedminded mindset? For example, if a dealership has a business model that prices its cars a little higher than the sleazy dealerships, but they consistently stand behind the vehicles they sell, how does the small-minded person respond?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All lawyers are ....." When people who say such things seek an attorney, do they look for an attorney with a reputation for integrity or for one who has the reputation of using every trick in the book?
Are not racists and cultural bigots more uncomfortable when they observe the behavior of someone whose example is unimpeachable? Do not the small-minded people try harder to ferret out a fault if a person's reputation is good as compared with someone who has a reputation for fulfilling a stereotype?
My theory is that small-minded people are made uncomfortable by that which they can not despise, therefore they DESIRE that which they claim to despise so that they can feel justified within their comfort zone.
Is my theory correct? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Consider those small-minded people who like to combine the word "all" with a stereotype, does their worldview and their "comfort zone" cause them to desire the very thing that they despise?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All politicians are ....." Do the people who say such things tend to vote only for those politicians who fit their closedminded mindset? For example, if the congressional representative is a certain district, does not vote for pork barrel legislation which would have benefited his state, how does the small-minded person respond?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All used car salespeople are ....." Do the people who say such things tend to patronize only those dealerships who fit their closedminded mindset? For example, if a dealership has a business model that prices its cars a little higher than the sleazy dealerships, but they consistently stand behind the vehicles they sell, how does the small-minded person respond?
Consider the stereotype that begins "All lawyers are ....." When people who say such things seek an attorney, do they look for an attorney with a reputation for integrity or for one who has the reputation of using every trick in the book?
Are not racists and cultural bigots more uncomfortable when they observe the behavior of someone whose example is unimpeachable? Do not the small-minded people try harder to ferret out a fault if a person's reputation is good as compared with someone who has a reputation for fulfilling a stereotype?
My theory is that small-minded people are made uncomfortable by that which they can not despise, therefore they DESIRE that which they claim to despise so that they can feel justified within their comfort zone.
Is my theory correct? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
posted by Shewmaker on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 Permalink
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