Students address stereotypes

Stereotype -- n: an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude or uncritical judgment.

So says Webster's.

Last night students convened in the Pollock Cultural Lounge to conquer the negative effects of that dictionary definition in the Latino community through discussion.

Titled "Pride or Racism," the program was presented by Gamma Phi Sigma "Hermanos Unidos" Fraternity Inc., 215 HUB, with the intention of addressing stereotypes that exist within the Latino culture.

The format for the event was an informal roundtable discussion that drew about 20 participants, consisting mostly of members of the Latin-American community. Students brainstormed popular stereotypes about the Latino culture and listed them on a chalkboard. Then students reflected on why certain stereotypes exist and what could be done to combat them.

Some negative stereotypes discussed in the program were perceptions of Latin-American people as uneducated, lazy and arrogant. Reasons for such typecasting included lack of cross-cultural communication, ignorance and misconceptions popularized by the media. But Erika Almiron (junior-administration of justice) said she felt some blame must fall upon American society in general.

"The United States feels a need to put you in a group, whereas when you're in your own country, you are that nationality regardless of color," Almiron said.

In addition to stereotypes directed toward Latin-American people from other cultures, forum participants also discussed negative stereotypes that exist within the Latino culture. Students brought up the term "Latino enough" when talking about the inherent disparity that often occurs between natives from Latin-American countries and Latin Americans born in countries such as the United States.

People raised in their culture's native country often believe that people not born and raised in that country are not truly members of their culture, Johnne Collins (junior-computer science) said .

"It's bad," she said. "My definition of culture is your set of values. It's all about how you live your life."

The values and opinions expressed throughout the discussion were an asset to the program's success, said Ronnie Malavé Delgado (senior-human development and family studies).

"I think that it was definitely positive to see everyone interacting with different points of view about the same issues," he said. "It exemplifies the differences within our culture."

The forum participants also listed positive Latino stereotypes that stem from within and without Latino culture such as perseverance, piety and a strong heritage.

"The discussion cleared up some of the stereotypes by getting them out into the open and off of the back shelf," Almiron said.