I'd like to think that the world has changed and that stereotypes can be altered, but I think it will take more than winning games to break stereotypes that have been around for decades. Two issues I can think of are, and I am aware of the irony of me stereotyping Americans:
1) One of the biggest problems with the stereotypes going against us is that they aren't isolated to just the Toronto RAPTORS but rather there are prejudices against all of Canada, as a country. As long as those barriers exist, no amount of winning will eradicate stereotypes, no matter how ridiculous and non-factual they are.
2) The second biggest problem is just the way that Americans think. It's a general superiority complex mentality in which they think they are just better. And it's not just a feeling -- they are convinced of it. Mind you this mentality exists everywhere but is strongest in the US. Here you will say Canada is better, but after some debate you'll concede that there are certain things we aren't so great at. Like track and field, for example, and internet speeds. The general population in America is completely closed minded. A great example of this is how domestic automobiles like Chrysler and Ford continue to be more popular than more reliable cars like Honda and Toyota.
1) One of the biggest problems with the stereotypes going against us is that they aren't isolated to just the Toronto RAPTORS but rather there are prejudices against all of Canada, as a country. As long as those barriers exist, no amount of winning will eradicate stereotypes, no matter how ridiculous and non-factual they are.
2) The second biggest problem is just the way that Americans think. It's a general superiority complex mentality in which they think they are just better. And it's not just a feeling -- they are convinced of it. Mind you this mentality exists everywhere but is strongest in the US. Here you will say Canada is better, but after some debate you'll concede that there are certain things we aren't so great at. Like track and field, for example, and internet speeds. The general population in America is completely closed minded. A great example of this is how domestic automobiles like Chrysler and Ford continue to be more popular than more reliable cars like Honda and Toyota.
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