As long as every human still has a mind of their own, freedom of thoughts will always be a ground to assume, presume, analyse, connect dots, conclude and form a belief about certain things. Also, you can't change people's belief, you can't help unless what they are willing to let go and see from a new perspective.
Stereotype is not necessarily bad or evil, it sometimes just show how certain individuals think or how they comprehend situations or events. It can be influenced by past experiences or common among certain culture, tribe or nationality— its mostly one of these.
I grew up in a Christian home, around godly people and a community where all grown up collectively frown against any form of disrespect, rude and whatever thing is believed to be bad. Somehow, I started answering to the name "PASTOR". If I remember well, I was still as young as 5 years old when I started answering to that name..... I can't say or remember exactly what made people to begin to ca me such name.
I have ways been a very calm child, I barely got into any fight or argument: I didn't look like neither behaved like any bad child. So, I grew up with this name, even till date (though it has reduced just a little bit). I have gotten fed up, angry, frustrated by how people call me "PASTOR" at home. They don't care where they see me, school or somewhwre far away from home...it will still be "PASTOR".
The stereotype part was that, I can't even dare to do anything bad. Asides from the morals, home training and countless teaching and advices of my parents— I still couldn't do somethings that are not necessarily bad but the name and how people think I should act because they call and think I am acty one.
Imagine this, I was been cheated or about to be punched by some troublesome fellows or was really annoyed by someone. I can't even do what any regular boy would do, either fight back, curse or insult because I am been tagged a "PASTOR". How my parents portray themselves and taught us also is enough factor but the name "PASTOR" added much pressure to always be a good boy any day. I have used these insulting words, foolish, idiot and I regretted the backlash from people around. They always treated me like I'm actually a pastor and ought to be one. Like, can you guys let me live normal and do something that won't require to refer to the name "PASTOR".
I really couldn't comprehend why and how I was expected to comply to the 'attached' role and way of life of such name that was given to me by God knows who.
You know such name gives room for laughter amongst your school mates each time anyone of them finds out. There were few days I ignore someone calling me PASTOR only becauee I didn't want dome of my friends to know that I answer to that. If some of the silly and funny friends or school mate knew, that's the end. The name would follow me everywhere, I won't even be able to move freely in school. Not been known by PASTOR in secondary school was a safe ground from me to be normal, usual and not hear someone calling me that name just because they feel or think a "PASTOR" shouldn't do or say certain things.
Now thag I know better, I am not pressured by it, I smile at some that try to tease me with it. I got used to it, I tell people to call me by my real name too because I want to get used to answering to my real name in my parents neighborhood. I remember many time that some people would intentionally call me by my real name but I didnt answer because I wasn't used to it. It was strange in my ears, I knew it was not me, until some would call repeatedly or fall back to say "PASTOR" before I look at their direction.
It was at a time traumatic, especially when I was 18 years old, you know boys roll then trying to always sound and appear good for them ladies. I always hated it when my mom and sisters intentional call me PASTOR just to ruin the moment or tease me 😂😂.
Now, been called pastor or apostle or prophet, I will be proud to always a ser them.
This image was generated by my prompt to Meta AI
Thank you for reading till the end.
