Stereotypes May Reflect Smart Choices...

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10922597.post-2107989665128845522007-06-07T12:02:00.000-04:002007-06-07T12:06:07.177-04:00Stereotypes May Reflect Smart Choices...NY times did had a piece titled, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/business/07scene.html?ex=1338868800&en=21614ae051e895e5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">Despite the Dumb Jokes, Stereotypes May Reflect Some Smart Choices</a> . The main gist is that, blonds and athletes have an easier way out than the rest of the population, so that there is lesser incentive to invest in education. See excerpts below <blockquote>Option A: The bottom line is that popular perceptions about the intelligence of blonds and athletes may stem more from the academic choices made by members of these groups and from choices that others make about them than from any innate differences in mental ability. Option B: Or perhaps jealous brunettes and nonathletes with time on their hands simply sit around making up jokes about their rivals.</blockquote>That started me off thinking about Nigerian stereotypes, especially the tribal ones. In Nigeria we have stereotypes about the different tribes. I will only address stereotypes that aren't really negative, you all know how we do with this tribe thing. My question is that when we say, Ibo's like money, is that fact (option A) or fiction (option B)? Or when we say the Hausa folks are reliable with money (aka Sabo money exchange), will that fall into option A or option B? How about when we say the Yoruba's love academics? I am trying so hard to hold myself back from talking about the various sexual stereotypes of the major Nigerian tribes. Important policy and political decisions are made in Nigeria based on this stereotypes on a daily basis. So what are our stereotypes really worth, facts or fiction. keep 'em or trash 'em.Omodudu