Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Contributed Photo

Nerd. Jock. Loner. The list goes on and on.

People categorize and label other people all the time based on the way they look and the things they do. When one person stereotypes another they are giving the other an instant label regardless of who they might be as a person.

In an effort to stop people from stereotyping, members of 70 McCormick’s RCC teamed up to put on a stereotype fashion show in their first floor commons.

“We thought it would be something that could bring students together relating to social justice,” said Abena Dickson ‘12, who is a Resident Assistant in the Service for Justice community at 70 McCormick.

With over 60 people in attendance and roaring music in the background put on by a student DJ, 13 students took their turn down the catwalk, each dressed as a different stereotype.

Stereotypes depicted ranged widely from “religious freak” dressed in a long skirt and carrying a bible to “metro guy” wearing tight jeans and a crisp white button down. Other stereotypes modeled at the show were “ghetto girl,” “tomboy,” and “hipster.”

The show lasted only a few minutes but was wildly entertaining for attendees. It wasn’t just the way the stereotypes were dressed but also what they did when they walked down the runway that captured the audience. The “nerd” walked nervously with homework in hand, while “promiscuous girl” confidently strutted her stuff.

After the show, the RCC of 70 McCormick led a brief discussion about stereotypes. When asked what stereotypes they feel they see most often at Fairfield University many responded with “lax bro” and “stuck up rich girl.”

Stereotyping has always had a negative stigma attached to it because stereotypes are superficial and can be hurtful. When one person stereotypes another they are categorizing that person based on how they look, in other words they are judging a book by its cover.

Some students even admitted that they stereotype themselves and agreed that they feel they fit into at least one the stereotypes modeled at the show.

“Stereotypes are always depicted in extremes, and it is because they are depicted that way, that they’re seen in such a negative way,” said Rachel Lang ’14, who also modeled as a “skater girl” in the show.

The RCC of McCormick agreed that the show was a success and said they hope to do it or something like it again in the future.

“These stereotypes exist,” said Resident Assistant Dan Jones ‘13. “And the fashion show was a great way to bring them to light.”