Ardekani and Stereotypes in the Media

Ardekani and Stereotypes in the Media

Should amateurs like Ardekani be encouraged to dispense advice about religion and morality to troubled adolescents?

Every human being is an individual. An individual is a person with different opinion and thought and different perspective and approach about any subject and issue in the world. And, every human being on earth has the right to learn from his past or his experience, therefore the betterment is to allow the person to make their own decisions and learn from it. Likewise, when it comes to sensitive topics like culture and religion, this freedom to select ones faith and religious view should be as open as any other matter. But what has to be considered is the channeling of thoughts because you have to be aware that people have different views and there is bound to be colliding ideas or contradicting ideas. If not handled carefully, sensitive issues often lead to fights and powerful outcomes. But allowing an armature like Ardekani to speak about religion, it is very wrong to say because a person who is not well informed about the issues at hand, is bound to lead into controversial matters which always have severe consequences.

Some people assert that all stereotypes are based on some measure of truth. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

I do not agree that stereotypes have any attachment of truth to them. When people say that stereotypes origin at some event of truth and people generalize others on that basis, it is not true. Stereotypes can simply be created to offend the other class, or to start rumors to show disrespect to the other people. It is used as a tool, or sarcasm to entertain people but, even when we laugh at these stereotypes, somewhere in our minds these little details get imprinted and we try to relate to these details when it comes to a real life situation and these connections are made so quick in our mind subconsciously. Above all stereotypes hurt people, and it is not a good practice. It just shows how unoriginal you can be.

What language do you hear in school halls or at school events that reinforce stereotypes? What can you do about this?

We study in an international environment and that is one of the key factors why international students are very unique from the others. We are able to interact with people from other ethnicities cultural backgrounds and we are able to develop a sense of understanding and respect for everybody around us. So there is no such kind of stereotypes against anybody but there are always people who poke small racist jokes but with no bad intentions, but people need to realize that in an international community, it becomes even a bigger challenge to maintain that kind of patience to avoid such situations where you might be speaking offensively about other people’s religion because people do get hurt and do not take it lightly. I know that I don’t take it lightly.

Why do stereotypes exist? What purpose do they serve?

Stereotypes make you different from the rest. That is the initial approach of creating stereotypes. I am not saying it’s a good thing. It’s a fact. Other people say that stereotypes comes from repetitive behavior of people of the same background.. WRONG! There is always more to “Indians being cheap”. I am not saying that I am. Maybe Indian people who you have might be cheap because of their financial background, doesn’t mean they are cheap. If you have money, then be happy and spend it, why be cheap? BUT WHERE IS THE MONEY??! .. is the right question. After people see that, then stereotypes start to develop. Stereotypes do not serve a purpose. They cause hatred. I am sorry if you feel that I am biased but show me the good side of stereotypes because I can’t think of one. For example the following poster.