As humans, we are constantly making assumptions about the world around us and the people and things in it.
Maybe we shouldn’t, but I think it’s part of how humans are wired.
We categorize things in our head to help us make sense of them.
The problem is, a lot of our assumptions are based on fear, lack of knowledge, and misinformation.
It can be hard to overcome, and it leads to snap judgments about people who are different from us, especially when those people are minorities and people of color.
Here are 10 examples of assumptions that people of color face every day.
1. They assume you’re violent or have a broken family
Because you can’t just get a divorce for irreconcilable differences like everyone else.
Image credit: Whisper
2. They assume that you’re somewhere you don’t belong
Because you’re not allowed to go nice places or have nice things.
Image credit: Whisper
3. They assume that you’re up to something
And your word isn’t good enough. Someone else has to vouch for you.
Image credit: Whisper
4. They assume weird stereotypes
As though they’ve never met another person who wasn’t white out in the big wide world.
Image credit: Whisper
5. They assume you’ve done something wrong
Because they know they can get away with it.
Image credit: Whisper
6. They assume there might be something to find
And if there’s not, they make something up.
Image credit: Whisper
7. They assume you’re going to steal something
You can’t just be there to shop.
Image credit: Whisper
8. They assume you have bad intentions
Because kids never cry with their family.
Image credit: Whisper
9. They assume things without even seeing you
There’s probably no more obvious case of racial profiling than this one.
Image credit: Whisper
10. They assume you’re going to hurt them
because they just see what you look like and not who you are.
Image credit: Whisper
You know what they say about when you assume?
These were all a nice reminder to check our assumptions at the door.
Have you had assumptions made about you that weren’t true? Tell us in the comments.
