Fixing Stereotypes...My Way

Book excerpt: The phenomenon of stereotyping is commonly used to make things mindlessly easier for us to understand. To categorize individuals and to classify them into groups so we can make sense of the world. We use it in various contexts: Indians are snobs, arrogant and under-endowed, Chinese do not know how to drive, blondes are dumb, Nigerians are scammers etc. We are all guilty of stereotyping at some point in our lives. It may be based on nationality, color of skin, gender, race etc. The categorization of a group of people that we tend to pigeon-hole is based on but limited to our personal experiences, what is showcased and broadcast in media, the stories that we have heard and so on; but we make the mistake to apply it to an entire group. Having spent two decades of my life in West Africa, through this book I intend to challenge the epidemic of stereotyping of Nigeria. There is corruption in Nigeria but don't label the entire country as being corrupt, there is corruption in India too. There are scams in Nigeria but don't label all Nigerian as scammers, there are scams in Hong Kong too. There is drug trafficking in Nigeria but don't label all Nigerian as drug peddlers, there is drug trafficking in Mexico too. What follows in this book shall give a window into the consciousness of the minds housing Nigerian stereotypes. Please be mindful that along the way the filter of typecasts will cloud your vision. Therefore, through my narrative based on first-hand experiences, I invite you to get to know what Nigeria and Nigerians are all about. Remember, oftentimes the reality is far more attractive and superior than what we dare to acknowledge.