I’ve been reflecting on this question a lot recently, and explored this a little with the group we run at Ninestiles school yesterday, which predominantly consists of Muslim boys.
I asked them the question – what would you want people to know about you, in response to negative stereotypes? Here’s a couple of their responses;
“Muslim people are commonly named as terrorists due to the fact the media portray Muslims in a bad way.”
“Don’t judge me by my colour. You don’t have any proof and if it’s the media that told you then how can you believe them?”
It got us thinking about talking about how we get the message across to people about reducing stereotypes. We can scream and shout about it all we like, but I think the only way we can dispel myths is to show people. If I am the only white British Christian a person ever meets their opinion may be made up on their encounter with me when they think about people who shares any of those factors with me. Therefore it is my responsibility to present myself well, as it will have an impact on what people think of those from my faith, ethnicity, age, nationality and gender.
A lot of the young people we work with really get this and are working hard at counteracting stereotypes simply by being themselves and engaging with people who are different to them. They are also doing it by refusing to presume things about other people before getting to know them. I am inspired by how they are leading a new way that is radical, and am challenged to consider my own efforts in this also.
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