British journalist Harold Evans once said, “Attempting to get at truth means rejecting stereotypes and clichés.”
But in order to reject a stereotype, one must first be able to recognize it.
A student-organized event at Bridgewater College on April 12 will help raise awareness about judging people based on appearance, sex or other external factors and – hopefully – will graphically illustrate how incorrect those judgments can be.
BC’s first “De-Stereotype Day,” which is the brainchild of the college’s office of residence life and multicultural services, is adapted from a highly successful diversity promotion hosted annually at other schools.
For the entire day of April 12, BC students who have signed up for the event will wear T-shirts that read “Stereotype Me” on the front.
“Students will be asked to pick out a specific part of their identities and write it on the front of the shirt,” said Christopher Jamison, resident director at BC’s Wright Hall and a coordinator for the day. “On the back of the shirt, students will be asked to write how they defy the specific stereotype on the front. The purpose is to facilitate conversation among faculty, staff and students regarding issues of diversity, in the hopes that it will bring awareness and growth to everyone involved.”
At the end of the day, a session will be held in the college’s Boitnott Room in which students and facilitators can engage in discussions about experiences during the event and explore other diversity issues, as well.
Jamison said organizers hope that “De-Stereotype Day” will become an annual event at Bridgewater College.
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