The short film Born With It shows how stereotypes can shape the way people see others and even how individuals see themselves. Reflect on the main character’s experience and explain how stereotypes impacted his identity and sense of belonging. Then, connect this to a broader idea: how can stereotypes influence the way a culture or group is understood by others? Use specific examples from the film to support your response.

 Prompt Response: In Born With It, the main character is affected by the harmful stereotype that all African Americans have AIDS, which leads others to fear and exclude him even though the assumption is false. This causes him to feel isolated and unfairly judged, impacting his sense of identity and belonging in his community. As a result, he begins to experience how damaging it is when people define him based on a false generalization rather than who he actually is. The film shows how this kind of stereotype not only hurts individuals but also spreads misinformation that shapes how an entire group is viewed. Overall, it demonstrates how stereotypes can create fear, discrimination, and misunderstanding on both personal and cultural levels.