STEREOTYPE

Some years ago, I had finished a lesson and was walking out of the classroom when I saw this book on a student’s desk. It was Great Battles of World War II by Michael Dudley.

“Is this book yours?” I said. The student said yes. I was surprised because he was a Normal Technical student who had shown little interest in studying. He could often be seen outside the school practicing bicycle tricks. I had not pegged him as a reader, much less a reader of history.

I could not resist testing him. “Who were the Axis powers?” I asked. “The Germans and Italy,”The student said. He omitted to mention Japan, but the answer was correct. 

 “And who were the Allied Powers?” I asked.

The student named two of the countries - the United States and Russia. I was satisfied that he had read the book and encouraged him to continue reading.

I had locked the boy into a stereotype and he surprised me. Years later after he graduated, I was at a bus stop and he was cycling. He stopped to chat with me.