Thread by @thebetterindia

The need to get more marks is forced upon every student - pushed with the fear of not being ‘successful’ in life. Isn’t aptitude a more important yardstick?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

ACADEMICS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO SUCCESS.

Even today, black communities continue to be on the receiving end of hate crimes. They’re often seen as uneducated, uncultured and potentially criminal. But are they really what we think they are?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT CRIMINALS.

Should caste define fate?

Caste-based stereotyping continues to suppress the voices, dreams and aspirations of millions and has led to countless humiliations, assaults and even deaths.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

CASTE IS NOT ONE'S IDENTITY.

Millions of dark-skinned individuals continue to feel uncomfortable in their skin. The world continues to be UNFAIR to those who aren’t fair.

How long will we turn our backs on this prejudice?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

DARK SKIN IS NOT UNATTRACTIVE.

Elections are not considered important, and a lack of faith in the system is expressed by not voting. But how can doing nothing change anything?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

ELECTIONS ARE NOT POINTLESS.

Sure, obesity is a problem but do obese people deserve to be shamed, marginalized or bullied?

No one should be judged for the way they look, or even identified as undesirable.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

FAT IS NOT UGLY.

Girls are considered to be a burden. They've been aborted, abused & their dreams have been shunned. It's about time they get equal opportunities.

It’s about time the world stopped making their future dim!

Let's #EndTheStereotype

GIRLS AREN'T A BURDEN

Someone who is HIV+ is seen as immoral, irresponsible and characterless. They don’t just lose their jobs, but even their friends, families and their social identities.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

PEOPLE WHO ARE HIV+ AREN'T PROMISCUOUS.

India is still seen as 'Mystical' or ‘Exotic’. Nobel laureates, global CEOs and path-breaking technologies regularly arise from this land.

To still view it merely as ‘exotic’ blocks a more nuanced view.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

INDIANS ARE NOT BACKWARD.

We all have that out-of-job friend or know someone taking a break. Being jobless isn’t easy but is it a sign of failure?

Instead of writing them off, isn’t it better to leave them to write their own destinies?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

BEING WITHOUT A JOB IS NOT SHAMEFUL.

Change begins small, and it begins in every home. From encouraging young girls to pursue what they love, to ensuring housework is shared equally among all genders, change starts right from home

Let's #EndTheStereotype

THE KITCHEN IS NOT A WOMAN'S PLACE.

The state of those in live-in relationships is difficult - families don’t support them, landlords don’t give out homes on rent, married friends look down upon them.

Commitment doesn't require a legal certificate.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT IMMORAL.

A boy crying is bullied, and a man crying is laughed at. Men hide tears and bottle their emotions, even at the risk of their health - mental and physical.

But is this how men should behave?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

MEN DO NOT HAVE TO BE TOUGH.

Why are some Indians ‘more Indian’ than others? How can any Indian be considered ‘other’ for looking different?

And yet that’s how lakhs of people from the north-eastern regions of India are made to feel.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

NORTH-EAST: AS INDIAN AS THE REST.

Aged people in our society are seriously sidelined. Pity or neglect, is that all we can offer? Their experience, knowledge and company is something to be cherished.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

OLD PEOPLE ARE NOT REDUNDANT.

Corruption and crime is what comes to mind when we think of politicians.
But is it fair to assume that no politician must ever be trusted?

After all, any one of us might want to lead the nation someday!

Let's #EndTheStereotype

JOINING POLITICS DOES NOT MAKE YOU CROOKED.

The LGBTQI+ community is constantly at risk of assault and abuse. Sexual orientation & gender identities are not for us to judge.

If you were homosexual, how would you like to be treated?

Let's #EndTheStereotype

BEING QUEER IS NOT ABNORMAL.

HATRED DOES NOT REQUIRE A RELIGION, NEITHER DOES COMPASSION

No religion requires you to hate someone. Religion is a belief that is uniquely interpreted by each believer.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

RELIGION IS NOT DIVISIVE.

There’s a certain idea of a ‘normal’ person. Anything different, mentally or physically, is seen as a lack of something. And what follows is a notion that these people are dependent, require care and pity.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

THE SPECIALLY-ABLED DO NOT NEED PITY.

Many aboriginal tribes still face imposition from tourists, and objectification from outsiders. They are getting further endangered because of our mindset of being ‘superior’ to them.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

TRIBAL PEOPLE ARE NOT BACKWARD.

The uniform that once meant respect and honour, for being our protectors, has now lost all faith.

But for every corrupt official, there are hundreds, selflessly keeping us safe.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

NOT EVERY UNIFORMED OFFICIAL IS CORRUPT.

It’s a strange, but somewhat widespread perception, that vegetarians don’t get enough nutrition, because of the lack of meat in their diet. And that makes them weak.

But a lot of athletes, globally & nationally, are vegetarians.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

VEGETARIANS AREN'T WEAK

Why is a man’s death touted as the woman’s fault? Why do we need to enforce a life of mourning for a widow?

From calling them unlucky to treating them as inauspicious - widows have always been mistreated.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

WIDOWS ARE NOT UNLUCKY.

Would you marry a pornstar?

X-rated actors are often shamed by society but ironically, the same society is their best customer.

Everyone should be free to make their own choices.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

X-RATER ACTORS ARE NOT UNACCEPTABLE.

The way young people are treated never gets old.

They are seen as irresponsible & untrustworthy. But we know of many young achievers who are innovators, activists, musicians, & artists changing the world with their ideals.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

THE YOUTH ARE NOT NAIVE.

More often than not, a visit to the zoo is treated as a recreational day out.

But what if it was seen as an eye-opening experience, one where children take their first step to learning how to respect and love animals.

Let's #EndTheStereotype

ZOOS ARE NOT ENTERTAINMENT.