I stereotyped.

Stereotypes and preconceived notions are dangerous. I'm going to share a difficult realization from my flight to London. I was sitting next to a foreign man who was reading from The Qur'an, was very jittery, and covered his head with the blanket the entire flight. For one reason or another, he scared me. I let my idea of what this man could be get in the way of who he was. I was obviously very wrong to judge this man in the way that I did - but I think it brings up a few very important points.In school, I never learned extensively about other religions, other people and how they live, terrorists and worldwide security issues, or any other information that would've led to better cultural competency. This isn't a dig on my social studies teachers...they're required to teach what they teach and oftentimes they have to prepare us for a standardized test instead of focusing on these other areas. But I'll be the first to tell ya, I don't know much about the world around us....I'm one of those stereotypical white educated American students  who know a whole lot about the United States and it's slim-pickings on everywhere else. What I do know is what my  funny teachers were able to incorporate into their lessons in history class. And I know I'm not the only one. (By the way, I'm not happy that I don't know much about other countries and other people. This trip really has opened my eyes to what I don't know and I'm excited to learn more as it progresses.)I was actually disgusted with myself when the plane landed; I couldn't believe that I had really let those stereotypes get in the way and chose to judge this man based on his skin tone, what he was reading, how he was acting, and how he preferred to sleep.But, at the same time, is it really my fault? Growing up, that's what we've become accustomed to. Seeing media coverage of events be so harsh and insensitive to the people and religions that are unlike our own just translates into our own lives and opinions-when the cause is likely not the religion, but in fact that individual person (not every single person who may resemble or have a similar skin tone as that person). Most of the ideas I have about the world around us have been generated by often biased media coverage of worldwide events, memes and viral posts on social media, the people around me, and from what my history teacher adds in during the lectures each day. However, the one reputable source that I am missing, and now have the chance to explore, is the people themselves: the ones that are stereotyped, the ones that don't get the chance to prove themselves because of the actions of their ancestors, parents, and other like them, and the ones who oftentimes never get the "benefit of the doubt".I've always tried to see the good in people, but in this case, I let my unwarranted fear get in the way of potentially meeting a new person and having more internal peace throughout the plane ride. My lesson to you all, especially those back home, is that we must become more culturally competent and aware of our surroundings. America is not a little bubble separated from the rest of the world, nor are our citizens better than anyone else.

What you practice for religion does not dictate who you are or if you're a good or bad human being.Your skin tone does not make you a terrorist, just like being a white American does not make you automatically rich. This is a difficult discussion to have, but I think it's really important to open up our eyes and realize that sometimes, a big part of the issue is overcoming our own stereotypes, preconceived notions, and baseless opinions about others and to see people for as they are.

Granted, some forms of some religions are violent; however, that doesn't necessarily mean that the man sitting next to you practicing that religion is. I challenge those of you back home to understand that not everything you see on tv or on popular media channels is accurate. It is up to you to make your own opinion and I ask that you do so from facts, tough conversations, and looking into yourself to see if maybe what you believe is the problem. I'm pretty excited to challenge my opinions, get to know people for who they are, and to combat the white American stereotype.These views are not of the World Food Prize, but reflect my own personal thoughts. I'd love to see comments of what people think about this issue and how we can solve it in our society. I know I'm not the only one who has felt this way (my family has had dinner conversations about it!) or has let a stereotype get in the way of forming a meaningful friendship, joining an organization, going to an activity, or choosing a topic for a research paper...among other things. One of the overarching purposes of the World Food Prize and their Global Youth Institute/accompanying State Institute programs is to combat these stereotypes, preconceived notions, ideals, and unjustified opinions...its hope is to prepare students for global careers and futures through solving international food insecurity. I know through this program, in the two days I have been traveling, that I've gained a lot of cultural competency in just 48 hours.