Stereotyping and Nations

Thinking Allowed looks quite useful today - discussing ethnicity, ethnic identity and how it has or can be a commodity. And indeed, I think Laurie Taylor’s example of stereotyping could be very usefully adapted for classroom use, so here it is, below. Try getting students to think about stereotyping identity at different levels - local and national.

South of the River
My partner was clearly becoming agitated. Her breathing had become unsteady and she was glancing apprehensively out of the passenger window of the car.

‘Are you all right, darling?’ I asked, slightly reducing my speed in case that was the cause of her obvious anxiety.

‘No, I’m not all right, darling. In fact I’m far from all right.’

‘What is it?’

‘You know perfectly well what it is. I told you before we set off that I didn’t like going south of the river.’

‘How else could we get to our friends in Clapham? You can’t get there from Islington without going over a bridge. Unless, of course, you fancy a spot of hang-gliding.’

‘I know all that. But it doesn’t stop me feeling nervous. I mean you’ve only got to look out of the window to see my point. Look at those men over there. No, on the right. The ones who look like used car dealers. Really South London types. And, that chavy looking girl by the bus stop. Really typical.’

‘Don’t you feel that your stereotyping might be just a shade premature?’ I said gently.