Participating in stereotypical behavior hurts all members of the group

Let me tell you a story. I’m an American-born son of latino parents living in Los Angeles. I live five minutes from the sea, in a suburban beach community, far away from the hoods and ethnic enclaves of the city. My parents did a good job shielding my sister and I from being exposed to and engaging in anything to do with the cholo culture of low riders and gang association or any other toxic elements of latinos living in Los Angeles.Despite that, because of the overwhelming number of American Latinos in Los Angeles and beyond who do associate with those things, or use it as an aesthetic/trope, people like me end up getting associated with it as well, because of a last name. Because of where my parents come from.My parents aren’t trad, but they certainly don’t associate with “la raza”. They came here and got rich, and they’re a shining example of the American dream. And despite all that, because of so many others who choose to dive headfirst into such stereotypical elements, or who cling to some identity that’s incompatible with American life, it hurts people like my parents and me, who end up being associated with it.I get asked on dating apps if my family is part of a drug cartel. I get asked by kids if I have a lowrider. I got asked by people on campus why I didn’t like mariachi music, like I was supposed to.Participating in stereotypes hurt us ALL. You might think you’re a patron saint of the hood by adopting their values and appearance, like it’s a way of rejecting Americanism. All you’re doing is perpetuating subtle discrimination and casual profiling, and that hurts EVERYONE.TLDR Participating in stereotypical behavior worsens the plight of minority groups. via /r/unpopularopinion https://ift.tt/2SUUjFA