Change The Narrative

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It’s common to hear people make generalized statements about others based on their race, tribe, gender, profession, academic status, it gets really bad when you start hearing generalized statements based on party, height, and even complexion, it’s ridiculous. Generalized statements have been condemned overtime but we still get to hear them all the time, obviously it has come to stay. A lot of people are even ignorantly guilty of making these statements, we will give some examples of what we hear to shed more light.

image via returnofkings.com

We hear things like black people(black race) are very aggressive, Doctors are flirts, female bosses are wicked, Igbos are dubious, Yorubas are abusive, Hausas(Northerners) are pedophiles, Mexicans are drug addicts, Nigerians are corrupt, well read ladies don’t make good wives, government workers are lazy, it goes further down to Pastors are covetous, Muslims are terrorist, short people are mean, tall people are humble (eeehen? lol) fair girls or female bankers are promiscuous, Edo girls are bad, Igbo girls are money conscious, Calabar girls are all about sex, Indians are heartless, in fact we have heard “all girls bearing Kemi are rude”(seriously??) and in recent times I have heard Yoruba boys are heart breakers!! lol! Endless list. While some come across as jokes, if you are not careful, these generalized statement which of course are *not true* stick to your mind and begin to manipulate the way you deal with the concerned.

Firstly, we need to reemphasize that making generalized statements and conclusions about people based on any classification whatsoever is very wrong. It is one of the most myopic things to do regardless of who made the statement or whatever experience preceded making such conclusions. Some people try to put it mildly by saying “doctors have the *tendency* to be promiscuous” etc, whether out rightly saying it or saying they have the tendency, it is still generalizing, therefore it is inappropriate. What makes anyone have the tendency to be good or bad is simply because they are “humans” learn never to tie these things to race, tribe, education or height(of all things).Whilst people could have displayed similar threats or behaviors due to their backgrounds, exposures and cultures, it is still shallow to make statements rubbing wrongly on others who fall within that same category. Remember that popular saying “there are only good and bad people”.

Also even if these *generalized* statement were to be positive, it is also a lie; No same group of people can ever be the same. Meaning that people can be flirts no matter their profession, people can be nice and kind no matter their gender;  there are hardworking government employees,  anyone can be covetous whether Pastor or church member; anyone can be dubious whether Hausa or Niger delta. There are white and black pedophiles all over the place. Anyone can be rude regardless of their names! Any lady and even guy can be promiscuous whether dark or light skinned, any party member can be corrupt PDP or APC, same way anyone can be a racist whether Republican or Democrat. Endless list.

image via returnofkings.com

Having said all these, we all should make conscious effort to live right and always dare to be different no matter our gender, tribe, race or profession. Break the norm, in your own little way; always seek to correct any of these perspective if it’s a wrong one. No matter how much people have tried to discourage making generalized statements, they have come to stay, therefore you owe whatever race, tribe, faith, profession you identify with the duty to represent them well. At every point in time, we should live our lives with the consciousness that we are representing a people as well as representing ourselves and of course the family we belong. Do all you can to live positively wherever you are or “leave” a positive impression wherever you go. **I have had to react differently(positively) to situations at work(even when I felt otherwise)  because I didn’t want to indirectly shut the door against any other black woman esp. Nigerian who might some day be denied an opportunity because of a wrong action I took in the past just because I could not refrain or control myself. I want someone to be able to say I once worked with a young black lady(Nigerian) and the experience was wonderful (contrary to any exiting wrong perception); To me, that’s a plus to the very people I identify with.**

If you are a white or black person a manager will ever have to work with remember to be positively different. If you are one of the few Nigerians that will ever serve/work in an establishment, reside in a place or go to a particular place, remember to represent well.  If you are a female boss, remember to be an exception, if you are a republican be different, if you are a Muslim join forces in your own little way to shun acts of terrorism, whatever your profession don’t be a flirt (c’mon nothing cool about it). If you’re a well read lady stay humble and no matter your tribe have some sense of decency. If you are short or dark, tall or fair,  break the “perceived” negative norm if any, and peradventure you are a Yoruba boy or man , please stop breaking hearts, if you’ve never broken one, stay different! One good deed here and there, corrects a wrong perception makes the world a better place.

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