One of the reasons my husband hates “typing” people or categorizing people in any way is because, as a special ed. teacher, he’s seen the downside of what happens to people’s self esteem as a result of negative labeling. When people are identified with disorders or categories rather than respected as being whole human beings, or when they are called insulting names such as “stupid” or “retard”, it affects the way they treat both themselves and others. It also affects what they feel they are able to accomplish –snap at a person for being “stupid” or “bossy” or “unable to see the big picture” enough times and they may start to think there’s more entertainment value in proving you right rather than doing the difficult and work of trying to change your attitude about them (not to mention that some people take a perverse pleasure in needing to be right in their negative assessment of others, and won’t look at any evidence that points otherwise than what they want to believe). The same applies to how we use type, and I guess I’ve become really sensitive to that over the years, and this is why I can’t just turn a blind eye to unfairness whenever I see it. And I can’t tune it out either.
Yes, Sarah, I think I'm going to take the same approach as your husband, and put typology aside, because I've gotten everything I need from it already.
What gets my blood pumping is when people dismiss others just because they are different than them. And yes, those who say that they are too odd and "deep" and open minded, do it even more.
Moreover, what gets my blood pumping faster is when I imagine that being done to kids. I'm a grown woman, matured and learned some things, but damn, when you're a kid it's tough. I'd be ready to break someone's nose if they'd tell a kid he's stupid because he doesn't think abstractly, or that he's a bad person because he doesn't base decisions on his values and feelings. I'm not saying people on this board have done it,I just imagine that being done in real life, and it's fucking moronic.
And yes, what's the point in even having a discussion when you don't go beyond your stereotypes? Stereotypes are a part of life, and there's some truth in them sometimes, but it just pisses me off when people base their opinions entirely on them, or when they don't bother to get passed it.
I'm all up for voicing opinions, and keeping it real, but don't be a fucking donkey.