The belief that one’s culture, gender, social group, race etcetera is superior to others is causing misery on earth. Stereotypes like stepmothers are wicked, women should stay at home, black people, and women are inferior beings are prevalent. The word ‘stereotype’ comes from Greek stereos meaning solid or hard. It’s the belief that everyone within a certain group is the same.
Humans have classified people into categories or groups, some of which are regarded as superior to others and thus more worthy to dominate others. This domination system is sustained by depicting socially constructed differences as natural. Differentiation is the sine qua non of the domination system. In addition, dominant groups in our society establish rules to distribute valued resources in their favor.
These stereotypes and differences, which are used to justify the differential treatment of various groups and society’s hierarchical structure, are not natural. The idea that people in certain sex categories or races always have certain characteristics is absurd. No two people are from the same mold, not even identical twins. People at the top of the hierarchy try to preserve their privileges and keep people of color and women in disadvantaged positions.
Since ancient times, men and scientists(who are white) are trying to prove that women and people of color have underdeveloped brains. Aristotle, one of the greatest Greek philosophers, said that women are inferior creations. The implication of such beliefs is bad. Recently British home secretary Suella Braverman insulted Pakistani culture after a few British Pakistani men were convicted of sexually exploiting children.
Uk academics criticized her and said that such stereotyping perpetuates racism and misinformation. In another instance, Pakistani police disparaged PTI women protesters by telling them that if they were honorable women, they wouldn’t be in the public sphere. Such stereotypes that women’s right place is inside four walls of their homes continue to worsen women’s situation in Pakistan. These are reinforced by advertisements and serials on mass media which show women doing house chores and staying at home while men get to be in the public sphere and have jobs. There is a risk that Artificial intelligence bots can replicate and reinforce biases and stereotypes because they have been trained using massive amounts of data produced by humans.
The truth is different. Scientists now say that all people have similar capabilities and should be treated equally. Instead of believing in the stereotypes, one should do an investigation on his own to know the truth. Moreover, one should check facts carefully and resist conforming to rules, made by the privileged, that are wrong. Too much conformist attitude and unthinking obedience are dangerous.
The unthinking obedience of Hitler’s SS troops in World War II inflicted great misery on innocents. Their excuse that they were only following orders was rejected during the Nuremberg trials. They could have refused to follow the orders. Hence policemen who were responsible for misogynist actions during recent protests must be brought to justice and punished for their crimes. While the government is talking about punishing those who destroyed buildings on 9 May, there is no mention of punishing those who maimed and killed peaceful protesters. Buildings can be erected again but the dead can’t be brought back to life.
