NEWS4U SEPTEMBER 2021 | OPINION
WHEN LATE NIGHT THOUGHTS ARE
BOURNE
with Freddie Bourne
IS IT ME, OR DO WE JUST MAKE UP STEREOTYPES?
But seriously, what is this look people are talking about? I’ve seen a reflection of myself, quite a few times. I don’t get it. Is it because I look like a Seth Rogen stunt double? Is it
When I was in graduate school, I remember walking out of
my fondness of flannels? Maybe I was part of a prank where
the building to catch the train when a student asked me if I
I had a sign on my back that read “SAY HIGH” - those pesky
had a cigarette or a lighter. To their disappointment, I told
college kids.
them I didn’t smoke - to which they replied, “Oh, really? You looked like you did.”
I find that I stereotype way more often than I'd like to admit. When I moved to the Midwest and had to make friends from
What in the world is that supposed to mean? And this wasn’t
scratch, I immediately took a disliking to every person I have
the first time, by the way.
since become friends with, based on nothing. Without fail, I took one gander at them, found one small, insignificant
Three years prior, I’m sitting in the lunchroom during
physical trait, and burst with “No way.”
undergrad and a bunch of high school students were coming in for an open house. An attractive young man
Cowboy hat? I’m not fond of saloons. Gold chains? Fashion
beelines to my table, full of 18 fraternity guys, shakes my
and wealth are not my strong suits. Terribly dyed purple hair?
hand, and introduces himself. Let’s call him Jason, because
I don’t want to be the next salon experiment gone wrong.
that was his name. to know their name. I’m basically doing the same thing as
made up in my head (nothing against him, I just wasn’t single
a hiring manager - judging people based on what I see on
and women are more my vibe most days), he proceeds to
paper and not giving them a chance because a lower than
tell me that I looked like the type of guy that knew where to
3.0 GPA was a deal-breaker.
get some marijuana on campus. Once I shook his hand and told him I worked for the university, Jason ran out and I never
We all do this. So let's stop making up stereotypes and make
saw him again. Worst ghosting ever.
a valiant attempt to build relationships that we will cherish for a lifetime.
52 | SEPTEMBER 2021
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PHOTO: EMILY PELSTON
I created scenarios for each of these people without getting Before I am able to reject his offer to ask me out on a date I
