Imagine you’re sitting in class, it’s a typical day, and in walks a new kid. Within seconds, a million thoughts are running through your head. What’s their name? He looks like a Frank. Where are they from? I’d guess somewhere south, like Florida. Do they play sports? Well, he’s wearing a LeBron James jersey, so I’m assuming he likes basketball.

     Just by looks, we feel like we can read people like a book. Within one glance, I could tell you someone’s story without even getting to know them. According to the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, a first impression takes only seven seconds. I don’t like the idea of that. When we look at people we can instantly label them from what our eyes tell us. Our eyes can be deceiving, and things are not what we expected them to be.

     I’m not saying we aren’t always right. Sure, people’s looks can match with their personalities. But, I still believe there’s a bigger picture. I feel as if sometimes we don’t give people the benefit of the doubt. We jump to conclusions too fast without thinking about the impact judgement has on others.

     The other day I heard someone call a girl trashy. We throw out words and phrases that harm others in a mental and emotional way. Why do we say these things? I don’t think we even realize what we’re doing when we jump the gun and judge people for something they are not.

     In the end we are all just humans. The way we look on the outside doesn’t tell our stories. We’re more than the color of our hair, the clothing we wear, or the color of our skin. All we see is surface level, but deep down there is so much more.

    Everyone is different and stereotypes shouldn’t define us. I believe deep down we all have our own little niches that make us who we are. I enjoy getting to know people who end up blowing my initial expectations out of the water. It’s just like the saying, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.