Stereotypes vs. Uncomfortable truths, a hypothetical discussion.

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:13:01 -0400

My question is, how many examples of a stereotype does it take walking around before it ceases being a stereotype, and simply becomes an uncomfortable or unpopular truth? Is it percentage based? What are the variables?

This was a discussion that was brought up in a class to encourage open dialogue, and I think it's intriguing enough to bring here..

Response by CPT Jason Torpy made Mar 21 at 2014 2:34 PM

CPT Jason Torpy — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:34:20 -0400

Statistical truths are to be accepted and applied. They should also be understood. The first step to understanding is that correlation does not mean causation, nor, even if there is causation, is the strength or direction of the causal arrow clear or even one way. That was a run-on explanation of just one facet of uncertainty in statistics. However, returning to the first sentence, we can't just ignore it.

The problem comes when applying statistics, even well-understood statistical truths, to individuals. For example, assume for a moment it is true that young black men are more likely, even significantly more like than others like women or white men to be engaged in criminal activity. Assume for a moment that statistically speaking, any given young black man on the street is likely to be committing a crime of some sort, like transporting stolen goods, possession of controlled substances or guns, etc. Again, let's just assume this is true, or is true in certain areas of the country, or is true in the Bronx between the hours of 2AM and 5AM. Does that mean the police should be able to detain an individual fitting that description without further cause, purely statistics? Should that mean there should be a curfew in that area during that time applied to young black men? I say no.

So statistics are important and useful, but applying them in a way that infringes on civil or human rights is properly called unAmerican.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 7:49 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 07:49:05 -0400

A better way to phrase this question might be: How many times must one observe a specific behavior in a specific group to draw a useful, if limited, conclusion about that group?    

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 11:23 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 23:23:00 -0400

It's been demonstrated before that group behavior is seperate and distict from individual behavior.