A Journal on Diversity and Stereotype in Society

Introduction

Diversity means quite a bit to me, especially as an international student. Since I have been here, I have been immersed in many different traditions, religions, and practices. Being different and unique is a positive aspect in this world; however, sometimes it isn’t. Generally, people make fun of those who are different from them. This essay explores the importance of diversity and the challenges associated with stereotypes and privilege.

Catholic Social Teachings and Diversity

Catholic Social teachings are concerned with many different aspects of life, one of which is the inclusion of valuing human life. Another is caring for God’s creation. Each person is special and different from one another; however, this does not justify that other races or cultures should discriminate against each other. As the Catholic Social teachings claim, we should treat everyone equally because God sees us all as equal. Instead of waging war because of such differences, we should embrace them, while also celebrating them as well. I feel that if this was followed, we would be one step closer to world peace. Even though I am not Catholic, Islam practices similar beliefs (Pope John Paul II, 1991).

Understanding Privilege and Stereotypes

Privilege is the title given to specific people. For instance, white men are considered privileged here because they receive the least amounts of discrimination. Whereas, females and African Americans face oppression here in the United States. In some ways, I feel that I am privileged, and in other areas, I am not. In my home country, I am considered extremely privileged because I come from a decent social class, and I am male. In the United States, I feel disadvantaged being a Muslim because I face much discrimination. However, I do feel privileged since I receive a scholarship. This scholarship pays for my schooling and living expenses, which is a luxury most students do not receive (Wildman & Davis, 1997).

The Impact of Implicit Biases and Stereotypes

Implicit biases and stereotypes are essentially the same: judging people before you get to know them. In a sense, we all harbor biases about different religions, races, or cultures. However, this is unacceptable because we miss out on learning about their differences by doing so. I have been stereotyped many times in my life. Often, people look at me strangely when I’m downtown. Most people have negative feelings towards Muslims because of how the media portrays us. Rarely have I seen a positive news article about Muslims of the Middle East. However, there are many good things we do. Not many people know this, but a Muslim once helped alleviate Trump from bankruptcy (Esposito, 2011).

Experiencing Oppression

I would say that the tunnel of oppression hit me the hardest. This really made me feel how other oppressed groups felt. Even though I have had similar experiences in my life, some of these hate groups receive it on a daily basis. I especially feel sorry for African Americans because they have undergone so much trauma. This group, I feel, went through the worst amount of oppression. Even though slavery has ended, they still face racism even in today's times. I feel that this hate will never fully go away until people realize that we are all the same and that skin color doesn’t set us apart (Alexander, 2010).

Conclusion

I am certain that I will encounter discrimination in the near future, whether it be in school or in my career. However, I will handle such instances with respect and patience. I understand that generally, people who discriminate have had a bad experience with that race or culture. This is why they stereotype everyone into the same group. If someone says something ignorant to me, I will just ignore it, and if that doesn’t work, I will report it to higher authorities. I feel that just because someone is rude, it doesn’t mean that another should retaliate. Two wrongs do not make a right. By fostering understanding and empathy, we can work towards a more inclusive society.

References

Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.

Esposito, J. L. (2011). What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam. Oxford University Press.

Pope John Paul II. (1991). Centesimus Annus. Vatican.

Wildman, S. M., & Davis, A. D. (1997). Making Systems of Privilege Visible. New Press.