Starting with me
To tackle stereotypes and prejudice in society we have to start with ourselves. Many of us hold prejudiced feelings without even realising it. This does not mean we are bad people, but we do need to recognise our prejudices and try to get rid of them.
Here are some actions to consider to start changing your own behaviour:
- Be mindful of your own language and try to avoid using stereotypical remarks.
- When you meet someone new always wait and try to get to know them. Refuse in your own mind to jump to an opinion of them in a few seconds.
- Be open minded about difference - in clothes, character, beliefs, ability, accent etc.
- Speak out against jokes which are made against other people or groups of people (just being silent might send the message that you agree with them).
- Be knowledgeable and provide accurate information to reject harmful myths and stereotypes with real facts.
Take time to read about other cultures - and always be aware where that information is coming from and the bias it might have.
Look at your group of friends. Are you all quite similar? You will become more open minded and able to deal with different people without prejudice, if you try to gain a wide range of different types of people as friends.