I get your point that acknowledging any truth in a stereotype would make social activism difficult. It would probably get you accused of the same heresy you accused me of. Personally I'm all about the facts. Statistically Mexican kids work harder, less hard, or exactly as hard as Asian kids in school. One of those three is the truth, and I don't recognize any injustice in discussing it. This probably disqualifies me from social activism, as my colleagues would burn me at the stake.

“In the meantime, chill”

It's so funny how I must come across here — everyone seems to think I'm wound up tight and highly emotional and “religiously left” and in need of “chilling”. It's funny because I get accused of exactly the opposite in “real life” — too relaxed (lazy even) and very even-keel, super easy to get along with. Oh well.

In the meantime, chill, and enjoy Vegas.

So when you feel like going through racism 101 with me, pack some specifics, and I'll be happy to have a discussion about it.

I don't know one way or the other, but if the average Asian kid works harder in school than the average Mexican kid, I wouldn't be a bit surprised. Again, it sounds like you're not prepared to claim that's not the case, you're just looking for someone to blame it on.

This stereotype cannot be overcome by “merit” or “effort”; it's something that will absolutely hold her back.

At what? If she's a singer, being loud won't hold her back at all. If she's a librarian, of course she should have to change it.

The actual application of this logic to any situation, though, belies its falseness. Take, for example, the fact that Mexican kids do much worse in school than white kids. If “individual merit and effort” are the only things that matter, I guess you're saying that Mexican people are just dumber and lazier? Not to mention the fact that a lot of harmful stereotypes aren't actually connected with merit and effort at all. For example: black women are stereotyped as loud and stupid, and therefore many people tune them out. If you are a black woman who also happens to be loud (a quality that isn't inherently negative, but is often seen as such), the stereotype goes to color others' opinions of what she might have to say, her perspective, her ability to be good at her job, etc. This stereotype cannot be overcome by “merit” or “effort”; it's something that will absolutely hold her back. It's not something she should have to change.

Of course individual merit and effort aren't the only things that affect outcomes, they're just nearly the only ones that matter. They have a stronger effect than anything else and are things that you can actually change.

If trying to level the playing field means decrying stereotypes as social evils and baying at MTV, I disagree that's noble. Encouraging people to carry chips on their shoulders ultimately holds them back.

I just can't get worked up about them. What I think is more harmful is the idea that other people should make them go away on your behalf, and that making them do so is a better use of your time than simply proving yourself on your own merits.

Yes, people are going to form mistaken impressions of you based on stereotypes, what you're wearing, and the mood they happened to be in that day. You could moan about how unfair that is and you're being held back by some dumb show on MTV. Or you could just get on with establishing your own identity in their eyes. You're better off doing the latter.

You used the word “rankle”, so why is it that a racial stereotype might be irritating or harmful, both to those within the racial group and to society as a whole? I'm fairly certain it's not just because they are “true”. Is a negative stereotype only harmful to those in the group who actually display that negative stereotype to a greater or lesser degree? That's where things like discrimination and expectations tending to be realized come in. My point: “but it's true!” is such a drastic oversimplification of any issue involving stereotypes, and it's an attitude that ultimately causes a great deal of harm, both individually and collectively.

(All that's missing is if they make Palin put-downs like their peers.)