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Protect Kids from Jokes Based on Stereotypes

by Michael Organ
The Challenge

Even a person who would never consciously discriminate may still be unconsciously influenced by stereotypes (e.g. "fat people are lazy", "blondes are dumb", "Jews are cheap", "the Irish drink too much".)

No one is born with prejudice. Instead, prejudice is like an infection that can be passed from person-to-person through stereotype "jokes" regarding appearance, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability.

Each of us is affected by unconscious attitudes cultivated by the stereotype jokes we've been hearing since formative years in childhood. It's human nature to be affected by repetition: if you hear something enough times, from enough sources, you'll believe it to be true.

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Invest a few minutes to examine the unfair prejudices and stereotypes you may still have. Hopefully, this will inspire you to make a personal resolution to stop being a carrier of unfair prejudices and stereotypes, by refraining from telling stereotype jokes, particularly in front of children.

 

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