This is in reference to (e:metalpeter,46343)

I think stereotypes evolved from the human need for the compartmentalization of sensory input. I am not saying the power structures that be don't take advantage of their subject's stereotypes in order to "control, police, and maintain systems of power." I just don't think they are created solely as a means for that.

As an example, I have steroetypes about types of food I like and don't like, which in turn affects the food choices I make and what I am willing to try. These are based soley on personal experience and no one is forcing those on me.

Now I now a flavor stereotype is worlds apart from a social stereotype but my point i sthat personal experince can also lead to sterotype creation and that not all stereotypes are pushed on an individual from outside influences. I am not saying the media doesn't reinforce social steroetypes or play a huge role in their proliferation, I just doubt they would not exist - even in the absense of the media or power structures.

Ridiculous Abstract Example
Okay, this is so contrived but lets say I was a blue person and all of a sudden I ended up in purple person territory and I was the first blue person to ever have contact with purple people. Furthermore, lets say that everytime I see a purple person they give me a hug and some food. After a few encounters I would assume that purple people are friendly. This is a stereotype but it was not necessarily informed by the social structure at hand or by any media, rather by personal interaction.

I realize that we don't ever really exist in a vacuum, however, I am often willing to let cultural stereotypes go in favor of ones from personal experience - or at least to give personal experience a chance before believeing in stereotypes of others.

Getting Real
Let's use a real example from my personal stereotype portfolio. Poor, inner-city black people begging for money in and around Allentown and the Elmwood Village. There is defiantely a prevalent social stereotype for these people that favors avoiding them. When I first started visiting the city I was so friendly with that group - I refused to believe in the stereotype because I didn't have that experience myself. I thought all the people telling me to avoid them were stuck up. You can ask anyone I am friends with, I was a sucker for the street person sad story.

I always gave them all money and I genuinely felt bad for them. Over time, living in the city, I have learned through personal expereince that it is in my better interest to avoid contact with all of them. I have been both physically and verbally harassed and had my house robbed by them. The robber actually asked me for $.50 to get to medina to see his "pregnant girlfriend" like 10 minutes before he robbed my house two years ago. Then this year he robbed at least two of my neighbors houses. Next time that guy asks me for money on the street I am going to have a hard time not punching him in the face.

At this point when I see a poorer looking black person approaching me on Allen, I completely avoid them. This would easily expand to white people if I had a bad experience with them. One time I even pretended to only speak german, during which the guy followed me for like 4 blocks continually harassing me - eventually I just ran. So ya, some people who are truly down and out are no longer going to get my charity, but I on the other hand am upping my personal safety by avoiding that group as a whole.

Does anyone else have personal steroeotypes they would like to share?