Students had the opportunity to discuss the pitfalls of stereotyping, and have a few belly laughs at the same time during a recent presentation held on campus.
“Fighting Stereotypes through Comedy” was conducted by professional comedians Karith Foster and Jason Dudey and held in the Moakley Auditorium. Both presenters detailed experiences they’ve encountered in their personal and professional lives, drawing important lessons from them along the way.
The pair used humor to discuss the serious issues people encounter in society every day. These stories were real, allowing audience members to learn to appreciate diversity and develop awareness and an accepting approach toward others.
“Massachusetts is mostly definitely an open state when it comes to being aware of its surroundings,” Dudey said. “It was one of the first states to pass gay marriage. You are being raised in an awesome and progress yet scary time.”
Foster said it’s understandable why people stereotype.
“(It) is such natural thing to categorize people, which goes to show that this is something that will not end completely but will always exist,” she said.
Foster and Dudey expressed the message to the students that when it comes to being stereotyped, an individual has to understand that there is nothing wrong with them but it is someone else’s issue to deal with. The process of dealing with stereotyping gets easier to handle with age and maturity, the comics suggested.
To learn more about Stereotyped 101, check the program out on Facebook.
The event was sponsored by the Student Government Association, the Interfraternity Council, BSU Pride Center, Program Council and the Panhellenic Association. (Story by Heidi Belanger, University News)