Vicious Stereotypes

  It happened again today.  It's a scenario I've become familiar with over the last eight months.  It always starts innocently, a few people are gathered around talking about dogs, and someone will ask me what kind of dogs I have.  I begin listing them off, and I always wait to see people's reaction... husky shepherd mix, rat terrier mix, and a pit bull.  It's then that I often see the crinkling of the face, the frowning expression.  The conversation goes cold very quickly.  No matter how many times I've experienced this, I am always surprised.  The woman today wrinkled her nose and said, "You never hear anything good about pit bulls."  And the man next to her said, "So you must not have any kids then?"  I smiled sweetly and explained that I understand many people have fears of them, but that our pit bull is the sweetest, most well behaved dog we have ever had, and that yes, I do have a child, and my pit bull is better behaved than him also.  I then politely exited the conversation and went on my way.  But as I sat here tonight, I couldn't help but rehashing that conversation, and the many similar talks I have had since we brought home our sweet Zara 8 months ago.  I realize that there are people out there who have had bad experiences with dogs of different breeds, and they may have genuine fears based on their experiences, but I also believe that most people are probably just basing their opinions on what they have been told and stereotypes they have been taught, not any real experience.  Additionally just because one dog of a certain breed did something bad, does not mean that every dog from that breed will behave the same way.  But people will never know this if they continue to base their perceptions on stereotypes and rumors.
  The truth is though, that this conversation isn't just about dogs.  This conversation has a much deeper societal root that needs addressed.  How many of us, I wonder, have prejudices against people of another race, simply because of what we were taught or a stereotype we grew up with?  "I'm not racist."  You might say to yourself... ok, but how do you feel about people with a different religion?  Political affiliation?  Sexual orientation?  Am I touching a nerve yet?  My point is this:  People of different religions, colors, creeds, nationalities, etc are all just people.  And you can believe every stereotype and go around wrinkling your nose when someone mentions the "others" of society, or you can get to know them and see for yourself.  You can reach out your hand to someone of a different skin color, eat a meal with someone who doesn't worship like you, show love to someone who doesn't love like you.  It breaks my heart today that many people view Christians as one of the most unloving and prejudiced groups of people there are, and I think it's time we break that stereotype too.  Jesus didn't shy away from reaching out to those that the religious factions of his day had rejected, and if we want to truly follow in His footsteps, we shouldn't either.  It's time to start reaching outside our circles and creating a world where stereotypes stop having the last word.  I challenge you to take a hard look at your own perceptions and choose to grow and change.  Show a little love this week. We all could use a friend.  I can't wait to see you succeed!
And P.S.  If you ever want to meet a wonderful pit bull, I'd be happy to have you over.

~K.W.