9/9/2016 1 Comment #OUTOFPLACE: NikkiHow would you describe the stereotypical college student? Always late to class or skipping class. Partying on the weekends constantly. You also never hear about a college student actually studying. When people make jokes about college students, it’s usually about how they’re not studious because they're spending their time going out. I like to think that most people are well rounded enough that they can do all things. In what ways do you break or defy stereotypes? In what ways do you conform to stereotypes? Well, I definitely conform to the stereotype of being Asian and loving math. But just because I find myself intelligent doesn’t mean that I’m a nerd or that I have to fit into that label. I mean I can still do everything else. I still go out I still have fun. I am not the typical Asian student. Another thing is that everyone thinks that all people from Hawaii surf. I don't. I didn’t learn how to swim until I was 15. I have never been a water baby. A lot of people don’t realize that being from Hawaii doesn’t make you Hawaiian. I’m Vietnamese and White. I guess all in all, I conform to some stereotypes. As a college student, I can be late to class every once in awhile but those few instances don’t define me. It’s not something that labels you -- or it shouldn’t label you. Have you ever been stereotyped before? Sometimes I say no to something and people will say, “you’re so lame," and that takes a toll on me because I hate to be characterized asa boring person. So because of that hate, I say yes to a lot of things and that’s why my plate is so full. If I’m afraid to do something, people will label me a “wimp.” I’ve also been stereotyped as “innocent” a lot. It just takes a toll on you because sometimes the things that people are saying to you don't fit into the goal of the person you want to be and they don’t realize how those words can affect you. Why is it important to have differences and embrace differences in society? I think in society we think collectively and end up being more successful that way. We are only successful because we all have different ideas to pitch and different perspectives to give. If we were all the same we wouldn’t get anywhere or progress as a community because conformity just confines you I think. We live in a paradoxical society in which people are trying to pull away from the mainstream and the “basic” and yet still want to feel a sense of belonging and fitting in. We want to be unique and similar at the same time. What are your thoughts on this? I want to work in the fashion industry, and in that career lifestyle you almost have to go with the flow. Still, there are different styles in fashion, so you have an example of that paradox there. I think that people look down upon being basic and being mainstream because it is the mainstream to look down on basics. It's almost like a joke. It’s not like you’re actually teasing people in that way. It's funny because you are teasing your friend and laughing with them because you do the same thing as them. It’s more like a funny thing. I also think that people conform because it’s more comfortable that way and most peope thrive in a more comfortable setting. There are those people who completely pull away from what others are wearing or saying and many times they get made fun of and called weird. So I can see why other people are afraid to stray away from the norm. How does Chapman as a school try to break stereotypes and promote differences? How do they foster an environment where stereotypes are promoted? Chapman encourages you no matter who you are. So many different organizations are recognized on campus and when you really look into them individually, there is a variety of of majors, races, and genders, etc. that are not necessarily what you would think. For example, so many members from our Hawai'i club aren't even from Hawai'i, which already defies a stereotype in my opinion. Nikki Nguyen
Instagram: @immnikki Website: http://nikkihawaii.wixsite.com/nikkihawaii
1 Comment
Ryan Daze
9/13/2016 08:23:43 pm
Damn Nikki, impressive work! That part you said, "I think people look down upon being basic and mainstream because it is the mainstream to look down basics."
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