Stereotypes get a bad rap sometimes. Sure, from time to time they get a little out of hand (I swear, not every English major I know is a casual drug user), but a great majority of stereotypes are based at least in part on some basic shred of truth. And no matter how enlightened you try to tell yourself you are, we all use stereotypes on a day to day basis. It really is simply impossible to get to know every human you run in to.

I guess the key is to try to sort out what stereotypes are bunk and which ones are useful in your average social situation.

One that I have found seems to hold true most of the time is the stereotype of the homosexual. I have absolutely no problem with gays because what they do all night and in to the morning is no business of mine. However, nearly every homosexual that I have ever met who was out of the closet was not exactly breaking down the walls of the typical gay stereotype.

I’m not saying that homosexuals always have to act within the confines of the common stereotype, or that all people that exhibit these traits are necessarily gay. But let’s be honest. People you think are gay usually end up being gay.

One stereotype that I find to be completely ridiculous is one that is commonly perpetuated on family-based sitcoms. It seems that every girl who is intelligent on these ludicrous shows is drop-dead gorgeous, and every boy who is intelligent is a scrawny, getting-none loser.

I don’t know if these comedy writers don’t actually live in the real world or if they’re just writing to fulfill their fantasies. It’s been my experience that an intelligent, beautiful woman is about as easy to find as an ISU student on Veishea weekend. They’re both extremely rare.

Look around the room at your next upper-level math class. Seeing lots of model types? You sure aren’t, because they’re not there. I know there are some exceptions to the rule (and I wish there were more), but let’s be honest. Not every girl with a knockout body and a face to match turns out to be a Rhodes scholar on the side.

Stereotype number three is thinking that African-Americans are going to be any more involved in criminal activity that your average citizen. This one actually does have some actual backing in truth because blacks are incarcerated at a much higher rate that whites. However, this figure is probably skewed because more blacks come from urban backgrounds that foster and promote illegal acts.

I personally haven’t had any experience that would lead me to believe that African-Americans are any more troublesome than other citizens. Maybe this is because most of the blacks I have contact with are in the university setting and not out in the ghetto. But whatever the reason, blacks don’t seem to be any more threatening than anyone else to me.

Some stereotypes are merely images we get when think about certain groups of people. These are just flat-out ridiculous. Journalists are constant alcoholics who survive on cigarettes and coffee.

Eccentric dressers with long hair and a tendency to say “dude” are stoners. Guys in khakis and v-neck sweaters are frat boys. Sorority girls are blond, about 5’7″, 120 pounds and slutty (OK, that one’s not that far off). United States presidents have morals.

None of these stereotypes have proven to me to be accurate on a consistent basis.

Unlike the previous three stereotypes discussed, these deal solely with images. Although it is easy to lump people into categories like these — and often necessary — it can sometimes be harmful.

And I guess that kind of drives to the point I am trying to get across. Although I may seem to be contradicting myself in this column, I’m just trying to point out that stereotypes are not necessarily horrible.

Some stereotypes are on the money; some are nowhere near the truth. It’s all a matter of perception and perspective.

You can’t shirk all stereotypes because you simply can’t get to know everyone you have contact with in your life. But on the other side, you run the risk of being a real bonehead if you fall victim to too many stereotypes, especially if they are false.

So I guess the solution is to just find out for yourself. Take a look at the people you know. What preconceived notions about them are true and which ones aren’t? Take this information and use it to decide for yourself what’s true and what’s not. In the long run, it’s the best thing you can do.

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David Roepke is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Aurora.