post 1 - chapter 3 and 4

I don't believe that it is possibe to perceive others without making some sort of judgement. As humans, we rely on those judgements to help us interact properly. Whether we like it or not, we form opinions based on the messages that people send out to us. If a heterosexual person was to go up to a homosexual person and explain their negative views on gay rights, then they would not make a very good first impression.

On the other hand, not all people send out strong messages or fill a specific stereotype. Society tends to classify people into certain groups. The problem is that common characteristics linked to such groups are often false. If a person does not fit into a group, this makes it more difficult for some people to understand how to interact with them. Within the first few interactions each party may disclose basic views that are not very personal or private. From these views, they are able to interact accordingly and go into further detail.

A friend of mine actually is very qucik to judge people in a negative point of view. If someone was raised in a different environment, has different beliefs, or has experiences something that she doesn't understand, then she is quick to dislike them. In contrast, over the years I have learned that everyone has a very different way of living. Most people who have lived a totally different life then me, communicate differently than me. It does not make them wrong, it just makes us different.

By being able to recognize such differences, I have been able to form many diverse friendships. If someone disagrees with my opinion, I don't think less of them, I just realize that our brains think differently. I think that by looking past the stereotypes and understanding that everyone is different, judgements may become much more fair. If a person does one thing that causes you to form a negative opinion, take the chance to get to know them better and and put your judgements aside. Eventually you will discover something in the person, or begin to understand why they are the way they are. By being open to differences, you may actually learn something new.