Making Sweeping Generalizations - Ignorance is Bliss?

[MISSINDI]

I debated about posting something on this, because I'm looking for just a thoughtful discussion perhaps, and didn't want it to get of hand. A co-worker last week made an offhand comment that has been nagging at me ever since. Even though it had absolutely nothing to do with me, I can't help being bothered by it.

We happened to be talking about Big Brother 6 and Kaysar being voted back in. For those not watching, BB6, he is Iraqi American. She made a comment that she couldn't believe he got voted back in, and that America chose him. I said they probably did it because next to Eric, he provided the most excitement in the house, being a very strategic player. Then she made some comment how he shouldn't win because he was Muslim and they're responsible for all the weapons, the war, 9/11, etc., etc. That's the comment that I have trouble with. If you can make that sweeping a generalization about that, then you can do it about anything. Like because I'm part Italian, does that mean my family are a bunch of mobsters? Of course not. But in terms of her line of thinking, could be. What I find ironic is that when booking travel for one of our employees, our travel agent made a comment about, "Oh, another Indian, huh?" and my co-worker who made the Muslim crack found that wrong. Go figure. Why are normal rational people capable of such irrational thoughts?

[Escher]

I can't see why this person would say such a thing.
I think Islam is a dynamite religion. Muslims are a blast.

[Kayaksoup]

Sweeping generalisations come because people do not know any better... I suspect that your coworker knows very little about Islam, all of her information being garnered from current events. She obviously cares to a certain extent about prejudice, or she wouldn't have found the comment about the "Indian" offensive. Just let her know that you find the comment offensive and why ~ better than letting her continue to think that all Muslims are evil.

[blazedog]

I debated about posting something on this, because I'm looking for just a thoughtful discussion perhaps, and didn't want it to get of hand. A co-worker last week made an offhand comment that has been nagging at me ever since. Even though it had absolutely nothing to do with me, I can't help being bothered by it.

We happened to be talking about Big Brother 6 and Kaysar being voted back in. For those not watching, BB6, he is Iraqi American. She made a comment that she couldn't believe he got voted back in, and that America chose him. I said they probably did it because next to Eric, he provided the most excitement in the house, being a very strategic player. Then she made some comment how he shouldn't win because he was Muslim and they're responsible for all the weapons, the war, 9/11, etc., etc. That's the comment that I have trouble with. If you can make that sweeping a generalization about that, then you can do it about anything. Like because I'm part Italian, does that mean my family are a bunch of mobsters? Of course not. But in terms of her line of thinking, could be. What I find ironic is that when booking travel for one of our employees, our travel agent made a comment about, "Oh, another Indian, huh?" and my co-worker who made the Muslim crack found that wrong. Go figure. Why are normal rational people capable of such irrational thoughts?

I'm not sure what a normal rational person is but throughout history so called normal rational people have committed all sorts of atrocities -- the concentration camp guards who sent people to the gas chambers were "normal and rational"; those who participated in lynch mobs in the South were "normal & rational" ---

As I recall the same kind of deluded reasoning was (and is still used) as justification for the current War.

[mbrogier]

I have noticed a lot of this lately, and it has troubled me too. I really try not to make any myself, although it is really hard not to stereotype. When I was in school, my favorite part of the day was talking to the security guard, Ali, a Muslim from Northern India. I can't imagine the slights he has had to put up with, but he has such grace. Like Missindi, what really bothers me is people who get so worked up about some injustices, but then turn around and do the same thing to another group. I guess I've just been thinking a lot about this lately. I just watched Hotel Rwanda, and it really upset me that such atrocities could be commited just because of what was stamped on a government ID.

[ChristyMarie]

Unfortunately Muslims are the current "ok to hate" group. Seems we go through this a lot in history - one group gets singled out as the root of all evil and we are publicly allowed to say things about them that should never be thought let alone said.

I have no advice but I agree the statement was completely out of line. Unfortunately I hate confrontation so I tend to just walk away from conversations like that. :(

[blazedog]

I have no advice but I agree the statement was completely out of line. Unfortunately I hate confrontation so I tend to just walk away from conversations like that. :(

When good men do nothing, evil is allowed to flourish.

I don't like confrontation but I hate evil and bigotry even more. I think it can be gently pointed out that such thinking is wrong -- I assume we all know why most Muslims and the religion itself has nothing to do with terrorism. I do believe that if we say nothing, people assume that their thinking is correct and valid -

Perhaps if the "good" people in Rwanda, Serbia, Germany, the Jim Crow US South had said something, the climate of hate and evil wouldn't have found such a fertile ground to flourish in.

[ChristyMarie]

Blazedog...you are so very right. I just always get tongue tied and have no clue what to say. I know it is the cowardly way out but I can never seem to come up with a good reply. Especially around family - who are the biggest offenders in my life. At least you can pick your friends... :cool:

Of course occassionally it is also at a business function where I can't risk offending. :(

[MISSINDI]

She made the comment while I was on my way out the door and it wasn't the time/place for a big lengthy discussion, but I did say that I was surprised to hear that from her, and had thought she was more broad-minded than that. Just a shame that in this day and age, people still think like that. Geesh, it's like talking to my grandmother all over again... :( I guess I had hoped that this generation (my generation!) was a little more enlightened.

[blazedog]

She made the comment while I was on my way out the door and it wasn't the time/place for a big lengthy discussion, but I did say that I was surprised to hear that from her, and had thought she was more broad-minded than that. Just a shame that in this day and age, people still think like that. Geesh, it's like talking to my grandmother all over again... :( I guess I had hoped that this generation (my generation!) was a little more enlightened.

I don't think it's necessary to have an elaborate political discussion -- as you said, you indicated that it was not an opinion you shared which suffices in many situations.

Work situations are difficult also. I am always amazed by the bigotry displayed by people -- I don't think they even think there is anything odd or bad about it or else they wouldn't feel so free about expressing the opinion. I once worked with an incredibly bigoted woman who didn't think my friend was black -- I'm not sure HOW she could have come to this remarkable conclusion except that my friend didn't fit HER personal stereotype of what a black woman should look and act like :rolleyes:

[Escher]

As I recall the same kind of deluded reasoning was (and is still used) as justification for the current War.

You recall incorrectly. Certainly not by any Congressmen.

This whole thread reeks of conformity.

Gag me, please.

[runningkitcat]

>She made the comment while I was on my way out the door and it wasn't the time/place for a big lengthy discussion, but I did say that I was surprised to hear that from her

You spoke up, so it certainly sounds like you did what you could. Good for you!

Wendy

[jjsooner73]

I've had a coworker make a few remarks that really get me, too. The last one left me so tongue tied that after a pause, I turned back to the subject at hand as if nothing was said. It wasn't until my drive home that I got really ticked. I have lost any respect for this person that I previously had.

This particular comment was referring to an African-American coworker (who supports us and so isn't on campus so we don't see a lot of her). I mentioned that she was PG and maybe on maternity leave. My coworker asked me if she was married; I said I had no idea. Then she said, "Well, at least she's not sitting around getting welfare like so many of them are."
I was flabbergasted, interpreting 'them' to mean African-American women.
She also once referred to someone as being 'too Jewish for her tastes.' I still haven't figured that one out either.

:(

[Miss Giggles]

I've heard almost everything you could hear. It amazes me.

Its people like that that make us sit through sensitivity training!