“Angelo is late again. I think all Filipinos are always late.” “Diego is rude! Maybe all Mexicans are rude too.” “Joe is lazy, so all Westerners are lazy.”
“Rajib is a hard worker. Maybe all Indians are hard workers.” “Kristine can sing, so all Filipinos are good singers.” “Ahmad is so creative. I guess all Arabs are creative.”
It is not fair to make sweeping generalizations about an entire race based on one’s behavior. Work ethics and actions are shaped by a variety of factors, including personal motivation, education, and access to resources, and can vary greatly among people.
Challenge stereotypes
Stereotypes are harmful and often inaccurate. It is important to avoid making assumptions about an individual based on their nationality.
These broad generalizations can cause harm, are unfair, and feed negative prejudices.
Refocus
It is more appropriate to focus on individual qualities and to recognize that skills, abilities, and behavior are also influenced by personal and societal factors, rather than by race or nationality.
If you focus on individuals, you avoid being driven by stereotypes.
We can easily be swayed by generalizations. But remember to treat everyone with respect and kindness, all the time, regardless of nationality.
This will help to foster positive relationships and prevent harmful animosities from growing even more.
So next time you hear someone say Chinese people are this and that, tell them, so as some Filipinos, Pakistanis, Italians, Russians.
All nationalities have a fair share of positive and negative traits.
It’s not about nationality.
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