Our Tinted Perspective

In my Law class last semester, we spent a week or so discussing stereotypes. Stereotypes in media, stereotypes in historical settings, and stereotypes we ourselves held. When we got to First Nations, we found that while no one held any intense beliefs, some people were willing to argue in support of some stereotypes. At least, they did until our teacher asked all those of Native heritage to raise their hands. An awkward silence filled the room as an unexpected amount of hands went up, and the examples of support melted away into situational circumstances. It's easy to hold onto ideas about a people if  when you meet some of them, your notions are preconceived. Whether we accept it or not, we do see with a veil of race, and it's important to take that into account before we defend any prejudice we hold. We're likely to find we've made a mountain of a molehill and over-emphasized a habit or action. Understand that your view is tinted.