Dirty Carnies and Other Horrible Stereotypes | Teen Ink

Dirty Carnies and Other Horrible Stereotypes

September 29, 2011
By andreahuston88 BRONZE, Dubuque, Iowa
andreahuston88 BRONZE, Dubuque, Iowa
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Never let somebody be a priority when all you are to them is an option&quot;<br /> -almira


I believe that stereotypes, even though very hurtful at the time, can shape a person into who they are today.

For sixteen years, I have been subjected to harsh criticism because of my family business, a carnival business. Getting comments from passing families, as I, even as a young girl worked the microphone on my family’s radar baseball game, called the Speedball. It became a daily tradition to have at least one rude remark.

One sunny afternoon, when I was about eight years old, my older sister Brandee and I were working our game at the Iowa State Fair. A passing teenager with his mother, looked right at me and said, “Look mom, they have dirty baby carnies working now.” I looked down at myself, and seen not a speck of dirt on my whole body. I told my sister, “I think they were dirtier than both of us.” She laughed and told me to just ignore it. Well, needless to say, it’s hard to do at that age.

Another experience that stands out to me the most, happened about a year and a half ago. I was working in my food stand and we had tip jars that said “college fund” on them. A man walked up and ordered some food, and was kind of a reserved man at first. After I made him his food and told him the price, he looked at the tip jar and started laughing. I probably gave him a dirty look that sparked a rude comment. He ignorantly said, “That’s funny, a carnie going to college? No way, that money is probably just for drugs.” Although I was old enough for that not to bother me, it still did because I know that I’m above that.

Stereotyping is just something natural that people start to think about based on their parent’s beliefs and the other people around them. Although I have been subjected to the ignorance of stereotyping, I have learned that every time somebody makes a stupid comment, I shouldn’t let it bother me. Instead I should let it drive me towards excellence in everything I do, and go to college.

Stereotyping, this I believe, has made me the strong, educated person I am today.


The author's comments:
My family's business and my lifetime full of experience with horrible stereotyping and ridicule everyday.. Its always been something that shouldn't hurt me, but does, but then again it always pushes me to do better!

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This article has 2 comments.


on Oct. 5 2011 at 9:11 pm
andreahuston88 BRONZE, Dubuque, Iowa
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Never let somebody be a priority when all you are to them is an option&quot;<br /> -almira

Thank you so much! I just wish more people could see that yes I'm a carnie but I'm also more than that.. I'm not a druggie I'm a 16 year old girl who has hopes and dreams and is in 2 AP classes! Thanks again!!

on Oct. 5 2011 at 8:45 pm
Inkblot88 BRONZE, Spring Hill, Florida
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be the change you wish to see in the world- Ghandi

If only we could rid the world of such ignorance! I love your article and can relate to it well myself! Keep on keeping on!