Ignorant and Irresponsible

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A while back, I watched a television investigative report about stereotyping. That's what we call "Profiling" today.

The report showed a middle aged White lady cross to the opposite side of the street when her intended path would have taken her past a group of young Blacks. When challenged, she explained that she did so because of a past experience when her purse was snatched by a Black teen. The report claimed that she was bias because she labeled all Blacks as thieves, and shamed her.

Back then, I used to laugh at people who stereotyped all first generation Asians as poor drivers, but later as a traffic cop, I realized there was a bit of truth to it.

Some people stereotyped all American cars as junk because they heard that some of their friends that owned one experienced mechanical difficulties. So they too bought a Toyota.

For generations, people have stereotyped all Catholic priests as perverts. Now there seems to be truth to the rumor as there have been many prosecutions.

And in Los Angeles many people have stereotyped all Mexicans as people who have neither a driver's license or insurance.

Yesterday I noticed a store clerk leave his position at the cash register to watch a group of young White males huddled in the video game section.

And today, many of us have stereotyped all Muslims as terrorists. And there is evidence to support that as well.

Call it stereotyping or profiling, it is the same. Profiling just seems to emphasize it more as being evil. But, what is common in all of these incidents? I'll tell you. They are all based on factual experiences of those that place the labels.

So, is it wrong for a lady to avoid a group of Blacks because another Black stole her purse? Is it wrong for one to avoid Asian drivers because he has witnessed so many times their poor driving skills? Is it wrong to switch to a Honda because your Ford kept breaking down? Is it wrong to hold tightly to your child as you attend mass? Is it wrong to expect a hit and run to happen if a Mexican crashes into you? Is it wrong for a shop owner to watch the group of White teens closer than the granny with her grand daughter? Is it wrong to be suspicious that the Male, Muslim, aged 18-34, in front of you might be plotting an attack against America?

I don't think so. These are all learned experiences and one would be ignorant and irresponsible to ignore them.
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