Generalization is not fair…
By namiya
@namiya (1713)
Philippines
October 29, 2012 11:44am CST
I've come across a topic here days ago which makes me wonder why instead of appreciating or building up the commendable traits of our people it focused on a negative one which actually is common global human misdemeanor and not attributable only to one nationality. I’m unhappy when someone tend to portray a misbehavior of some as the general trait of a nation as a whole which is a prejudiced evaluation. We are not a perfect people so do with any other nationality and I am into constructive criticism too but in this case it’s hard to understand the purpose or what gain is to be achieved from this as I see it as a way of degrading a citizenry. Sorry if I seem to be so sensitive here, I just want to share how I feel , and I don’t mean all criticism posted here but only on unfairly going overboard in generalizing a nation’s character.
3 people like this
9 responses
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
Has the discussion been deleted? I missed that one. Would it be possible to send the link to that discussion? Just reading your topic agitated me a bit. I know we should all respect the opinions and their points of view, but if its some sort of character degradation of a whole race of people, that's really crossing the line. I don't think you're being sensitive. Any normal person would get offended by sweeping generalizations especially if it's really far from the truth.
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
It still exist but the responses mostly disagreeing have somehow soothe my initial reaction and there are also a lot of responses to be considered if topic will be deleted as it would also affect those who have exerted efforts on posting their responses.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
30 Oct 12
I did not see the discussion, but it does sound as though it was designed to start a fight on here. Regardless of what views someone may have regarding a particular people, there is no reason to create a post about those particular views in such a forum (and in defiance of clearly stated site rules) other than to stir up trouble.
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
i enjoy gathering ideas by exchanging views and opinions in this site and stirring negative reactions is farthest from my mind. Coming across that discussion however, i can't help feeling downgraded for our people to be assumed as such and hope that somehow this topic would curtail posting views of such pattern to avoid unintentionally offending some.
@anaknitatay (1335)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
Yes, sometimes it is not fair to be generalized; especially if you are one of the people who do not fit the generalization!
But I have often observed that these generalization are made more on a people's culture either how we see ourselves or how others see us according to their culture.
If we do not like a generalization it is up to us as a people to change this not only be hanging our behavior but also by nt propagating it.
Take for example Filipino Time how many times have we used this as an excuse whenever we are late? How many times have we propagated this by pointing this out to a foreigner whenever a kababayan is late?
We should either change the conception (easier to do) or change ourselves entirely (harder to do).
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
I do agree with you that in the Filipino time tag we really had to exert effort to improve if not totally remove this image. But claiming that we are the worst for a trait that is global in nature and are disputed by facts and recognition some of our countrymen had been and are still being acknowledged and recognized for, to me is unacceptable. That is, the negative trait of a few is more than overshadowed by positive feedback and obvious efforts of the majority despite hardships. And claiming that we are the worst is unfounded conclusion that does not help in any angle. I am into constructive criticism but not in this way and means please.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
I don't care what they think anymore, who are they to prove ourselves? unless their our boss like the President's relationship to the people. we shouldn't be too sensitive when it comes to other people's negative impression about us, it's their right to free speech. in fact, instead of focusing the negative trait, it should be focus on eliminating the negative trait and to be taught of something positive. but with poverty and some inequality now a days, they can't help it.
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
I respect your opinion and you are right, whatever they think about us won’t affect us individually. But I believe that condemning a race based on the character of a few does not help building up or eliminating a negative trait but irrationally puts the whole citizenry in a bad light which will have a negative effect in some aspects. Example is in overseas employment chances for our countrymen who depend on this and possible investments that will create jobs for people if we are inaccurately branded as such. And the irony is, this accusation came from within us.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
30 Oct 12
Hi namiya, I get what you mean.
Many a times, we would generalise that everybody in a particular country is like that just because we see one of their people doing something bad.
You are right and i think your post serves as a timely reminder that we should not generalize. Each one of us is an individual and although we are affected by our cultural values, we are not the same and each one of us have different way of thinking and our personalities are all different. Therefore, there is not reason why we should be generalizing.
This is something that is happening in my country as well. We are gemeralizing that the people from some other countries are not good. however, we must remember that these people cannot represent the whole of their country.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
It's not a commendable practice but it is always being applied by a people to another people or culture. I guess in a sense, it is the difficulty of seeing of what a nation really is and leaning about them. It's very ready to generalize and judge accordingly because it does require too much effort, really.
What I really hate the most is that the nation or person pointing a finger at another person or nation is also guilty of this said 'crime' or unpleasant behavior. It's easy to blame anybody else but you or us but we act the same. It's just that we don't place blame accordingly. This is most true with two people with too much history together.
This practice will never go away unless people know look beyond and for some people, that's just too hard.
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
I do agree with you. It is easy to condemn than appreciate maybe because it lifts up one's ego or self satisfaction. However, right or wrong this action maybe, I just hope we try to base it on facts first before arriving to conclusion so as not to trample into one's integrity unjustly. Well this is part of life and we really can't avoid it at times, but maybe it won't harm too if we just try to present some stand if we think this as a bias one
.
.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Oct 12
hik namiya I think that discussion degrading a nation with mean terms
and being offensive and insu]ting is not a good discussion at all.
'it breaks the rule about being kind and good to each other here.
I know as an American I would be offended if some my lotter made
a discussion saying all Americans are loud mouthed and arrogant and
bullies. I would report this discussion as being insulting and
will provoke fl
aming too. what you describe sounds like a discussion' that is breaking mylot rules,.You should report it as you are made uncomfortable even angry over it.
aming too. what you describe sounds like a discussion' that is breaking mylot rules,.You should report it as you are made uncomfortable even angry over it.@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
Hi Hatley, Yes you are right I feel offended too as a Filipino when we are generally judged because of the misbehavior of some. I just rated it negative and opt not to report it based on these two considerations:
- most of the responses did not agree with what is implied in the topic and considered it as undeserved sweeping generalization, and this consensus of responses had more than appeased me and hoped too that it would make the one who made it realize this.
- there were so many responses that deleting the topic will also affect the accounts of those who had exerted efforts to reply to the topic but were not commented back in return by the one who posted the topic.
I'm just hoping that this will guide the topic creator in posting a worthwhile topic next time.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
29 Oct 12
I do agree that there is no way that people should have opinions on people based on generalisations that they have heard from various places. I didn't like it when I was at University, because people would decide that they didn't like me based on the way that I looked, and this was something that I didn't think was fair. I know that I always give people a chance when I first meet them, and I will get to know them properly before I decide whether I liked them or not. I love the people who give me a chance, as I know that I would always give them one.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
29 Oct 12
i dont agree or think so because one person has different perception where in we cant predict these things based on just numbers or simple means
