Why is it that in today's society it seems so acceptable for people to readily judge and stereotype other people, often without any repercussions or consequences? It's everywhere, work, home, school, the media.....

I just saw a clip on CNN with some bar owner in the States selling t-shirts with the well known cartoon monkey Curious George, and the slogan " Obama '08 " underneath it. Some may find it amusing, the bar owner himself says he thinks Obama looks and acts like that monkey ( so therefore he is??). That's not okay. Funny or not, that's an opinion he should keep to himself. He will be lucky not to get sued for defamation and slander. Yet, many Americans support his opinions and see the humour in it more than take offence, purchasing the shirts.

Stereotyping in the workplace >> this is one I hate. Because I am female, I will do an inferior job to a man. WRONG! I work harder and know my job better than most of the male coworkers I have worked with in the workforce. I could say that for a lot of women. Women make bad bosses because they think with the heart and not the head. Wrong! I admit, as a manager I have occasionally made an emotional decision, but who hasn't? Men do it to. True, some women are more likely to be motherly but that's their personality, not just because they are women. That would be like saying all men try sleep with their employees. Well I'd jokingly say that's closer to the truth than most stereotypes, it would be an unfair statement because not all men act like this. Unfortunately in the restaurant industry it's done a lot, and I have seen enough and have enough stories to tell - don't forget the women are just as much to blame as the men.

Gay are bad >> No, their not. Gays and lesbians are human like the rest of us. I have plenty of homosexual friends, and I can honestly say they are some of the smartest, hardest workers and nicest people I know. Everyone has to make a choice how to live their life. How they want to live theirs, is their prerogative. Just because you see something on t.v on how Hollywood would portray a homosexual does not mean that all gays act or think like that. To each his own. Don't be s quick to judge someone until you have gotten to know them and walked a mile in their shoes. I'm sure your life isn't as top notch as you like to portray, so don't be a hypocrite. You may not agree with it, but you have no right to force your opinions on other people and try get them to change.

This is just a short hub, I could go on about other things like how wrestlers are all bad actors, men don't know how to cook,if you have a popped collar your automatically cool, certain races are lazier than others, if you belong to certain groups your always expecting a handout etc. My point is, have an open mind and leave people to their own devices. Observe from afar and don't interfere if you don't have too. Don't fix something that isn't broken. Get educated on something you don't understand. Stereotypes, or stereotyping people to certain groups is hurtful and destructive and it happens mostly because people are uneducated about some things and don't understand. Every action has a reaction, and an impact on someone else's life. Just think about it..