You are more than you

Day 85 – It’s easy to always think about how our actions will impact ourselves. Most of us forget that we are also members of other groups and thus our actions have repercussions on many other people. We as individuals may forget this, but others don’t.

Let’s all be honest with each other. Everyone stereotypes. While it might not be right, every single one of us still does it. If you say you do not, then I’m going to stereotype you as a liar.

Because of the prevalence of stereotyping, we as individuals must constantly be analyzing what we do. Our actions allow people to stereotype the groups to which we belong. I am going out of my way now to recognize how my actions allow others to stereotype me and thus harm my entire group.

I’m a Donehue.

I’m a CEO.

I’m a Republican.

I’m a Christian.

I’m a South Carolinian.

I’m an American.

I’m a Gamecock.

I could go on and on for days, so let’s just stop here and go with this list.

Every action I take impacts my family. My wife doesn’t want the public to think that our family are lying, cheating, and stealing SOBs. My actions impact my business. If I lie to you about something small, what makes you think that Donehue Direct won’t be shady in its business dealings?

Saying something racist or sexist allows others to label the entire Republican Party and the state of South Carolina. Cursing or cheating on my wife would give non-Christians the ability to label my religion as hypocritical. When traveling overseas, treating others with disrespect can reinforce many stereotypes about our nation. Spitting on opposing fans, as some Georgia fans do, would make all Gamecocks look like jerks.

I don’t do many of these things. I’m not racist or sexist. I don’t steal or cheat on my wife. I certainly don’t spit on people. I do curse way too much. I have come across as arrogant to people of other cultures.

Just to give you an example of what bothers me most, you won’t have to look further than Benny Hinn. Personally, Benny Hinn’s actions don’t impact me. I’m not falling for his tricks, but I get angry every time I think about him because he makes my entire religion look bad. He allows others the ability to stereotype us as hypocrites who will steal your money for a “miracle.”

Wait, you don’t know who Benny Hinn is? He’s this clown making millionaires off of many people will horrible illnesses.

Most of us aren’t hermits. In fact, I don’t know any hermits. That’s probably because they are hermits. All of us are members of different groups therefor we can’t just go around acting as if our actions don’t harm other people.

Your actions do impact other people… a lot of other people. Be a good representative of your groups.

- Wesley