"At North Hollywood High School, I was shunned by everyone. I would sit down in the cafeteria, and students would get up from the table and walk away. They thought I was from the Mafia"
- Philip Zimbardo
About this Quote
This quote from Philip Zimbardo speaks with the power of understanding and how it can shape our experiences. It recommends that the trainees at North Hollywood High School had a preconceived notion of what Zimbardo resembled, and that this idea was so strong that it caused them to distance themselves from him. This quote likewise speaks with the power of stereotypes and how they can be destructive. It shows how quickly individuals can form an opinion of someone based on their appearance or background, and how this opinion can result in exclusion and alienation. It is a tip that we ought to beware not to judge people based on our own presumptions, which we need to strive to be more unbiased and accepting of others.
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