Stereotypes real or imagined

ste·reo·type

an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic

Librarian's clothes are as personal as their characters

something agreeing with a pattern; especially : an idea that many people have about a thing or a group and that may often be untrue or only partly true  -   -- Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Web.  . 

As Diversity Programming coordinator at my school, I spoke with students about stereotypes back in 2011.  I started out with the "Librarian" stereotype and moved on from there.  I was reminded of this talk and the "librarian" stereotype after some discussions about "What to wear to the ALA conference" [excerpt from 1911 Library Journal] in the ALA think tank.

Sometimes, I fit the librarian stereotype and sometimes I just love fashion!
https://www.pinterest.com/hannahblittle/librarian-fashion/


I thought I might include some of the media from the student talk on my blog.

Pictures and Videos to get the students attention

Profession Stereotypes

Librarian

P.E. Teacher

Differences between Men and Women

“Diversity Day”

Reminder to students that  - You are More than a stereotype
Webb's enduring understandings

1. Integrity is a cornerstone of a flourishing life and community
2. Learning is an enjoyable and ongoing process
3. Respect for self and others are essential to a harmonious society
4. Self-discipline and autonomy are essential to success
5. Each person has unique gifts and capacities and a responsibility to develop them
6. Each person shares the responsibility and honor of serving others

Some Cool Quotes

Respecting Differences Unites Us
“To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.” Unknown 

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”  Maya Angelou

Huffington Post Article

'Judging America' Photo Series Captures Nation's Stereotypes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/30/judging-america-photo-series_n_5907966.html

Here is a book an Alum recommended this week
Seems to be an interesting sociological study that looks at stereotypes and status indicators.
The Status Seekers Hardcover – June, 1959 by Vance Packard

A previous reviewer notes that the book is dated. It's true that comments about televisions (When you next see Oliver Stone's Wall Street, check out the tv in Bud Fox's NYC penthouse...) and ranch houses are a bit dated, but the book shows that the craving for status and acceptance simply doesn't change. The book was published in 1949, and with a little imagination one can easily replaced dated status symbols with contemporary ones. The author's findings regarding ethnic and religious groups is interesting, too, but I won't spoil the surprise. Funny to view these observations 61 years after they were published.  http://www.amazon.com/The-Status-Seekers-Vance-Packard/dp/067950091X