While stereotypes can hurt, in my experience mine has helped to shape my character. To give some background, I went to a middle school where minorities were the majority. Meaning that, my school was primarily Hispanics and African American. However, I am of Swedish decent, which is primarily characterized by bright blonde hair and blue eyes. Obviously, I stuck out in a way middle schooler, whose only desire is to fit in, didn’t want to stick out. The ditzy blonde stereotype was in full swing at this point with celebrities, movies and TV shows further perpetrating the stereotype. At school, my peers and teachers alike would insult my intelligence. It seemed as though whatever I accomplished, my hair color was the determining factor in how intelligent …show more content…
One may assume that stereotypes such as this are harmless banter, well tell that to the insecure 7th grade who is crying, begging her mother to buy her a box of Revlon hair dye in the shade Dark Golden Brown. When she didn’t allow me to dye my hair, I became the person people said I was. I assumed the role of the ditzy blonde. I felt like it was easier to change myself than try to prove my ability to everyone, it was exhausting. Because of this I stopped caring about school, not completely, but enough to stay in character. Subsequently, my grades started slipping. I didn’t care too much about this because I finally felt like I can relax since people perceptions of my matched up with the new fabricated reality. My ditzy facade became such an integrated part of me that I forgot that I had more than two brain cells. When I got to high school, I realized my new potential for success. I surrounded myself with people who were supportive rather than destructive. And encouraged me to grow rather than confine me to a