Beyond the Label: My Journey Through Stereotypes

Stereotypes are everywhere subtle, loud, spoken, or silently assumed. Whether it’s because of where we're from, the way we look, how we speak, or the groups we associate with, chances are we’ve been boxed into a label that didn’t quite fit, and we have done that to other people too. These generalizations often tell a one-sided story, and for many, they create barriers that are hard to break. In today's article, I'll be sharing with you personal experiences with stereotypes, the ones I’ve had to shake off, the ones I’ve confronted head-on, and even the ones I chose to ignore. Because behind every stereotype is a real human story, and it’s time to tell mine, so sit back, relax, and learn from my experience.

Nigeria, my country. It is a country with multiethnic groups; even when we are ruled under one president and have one flag and anthem, we still stereotype amongst ourselves. The only time you see Nigerians united is only when we have a common enemy but if not so, the stereotype we have among ourselves has turned us into enemies. This shows how dangerous stereotyping can be.

One of the ethics stereotypes I grew up with believing was that the Hausa Tribe are really dull and dirty people; they would kill anyone who is not from their tribe. Thinking about it now, how can they paint such an image into the heart of a child? I so much believed this that I continued to spread the lies and avoid anyone from the Hausa tribe. Even when I see a very beautiful girl or a handsome guy, and I discover they are from the Hausa tribe, my perception about them would change immediately even when they haven't done anything wrong. I'll just avoid them based on the stereotype I had.

I grew up with this stereotype until I went to the north central to study and the core north to serve my country. The truth is that we all as humans can be dirty, wicked, and dull; it's not a trait of an ethnic group. I have seen so many dull people from my tribe and many dirty people from other tribes. When I went to the north, I did not just see the Hausa people; I just saw the same humans I have always seen growing up speaking a different language from mine. They were the same as me and I was like them. I met so many clean, decent, smart Hausa people, and I was so shocked. I wonder who made such a stereotype in the first.

Stereotypes are not just lies we tell about others they’re lies we tell ourselves to make sense of a world we haven’t fully explored. My experience taught me that no tribe, race, gender, or group holds a monopoly on goodness or flaws. We are all complex individuals shaped by different experiences, not by the labels others try to stick on us. I have learned to unlearn, and I continue to challenge the biases I once believed. And I hope that by sharing my story, someone else out there will find the courage to question the stereotypes they’ve held on to because the truth is, the only way to see people clearly is to look beyond the surface.

Thanks for reading, My name is Fashtioluwa.

All images used are mine.