BL Maphobela, 52853683

What is stereotyping? It is a widely held generalization that a large amount of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing. Throughout my introduction to the module of Social Anthropology, I have learnt that majority of my thoughts, assumptions and "beliefs" are stereotypical, which has led me to indirectly create "otherness". 

I had always been exposed to the stereotypical description and representation of African countries. From fifth grade history class, all that I have ever known and believed about African countries by the likes of Nigeria, Congo, etc, is that people form these countries are less privileged, have no water, violence is always occurring, etc. This created the idea that there could never be a "good" side to these African countries and that South Africa is the "better" African country of all countries in Africa, thus leading to the creation of "otherness"

I recently went on a cruise to Mozambique, landing on Pomene Island. Here, my stereotypical mindset was changed as well as proven wrong. I was influenced, from a very young age, by xenophobic and stereotypical people around me that "Mozambique is a dirty place, filled with unkind and rude people" and so I have always believed this. I was proven wrong when I was surrounded and spent time with people from Mozambique on the island of Pomene. I realised that Mozambique is not dirty and the people there are by far the nicest people that I have met.

I have been exposed to and followed through with normalised stereotypical behavior. I had never given myself an opportunity to question what i am folllowing and believing in. I had never allowed myself to see things for what and how they truly are and not for what and how pwople want me to see.