Stereotypes are something that we all have to face throughout our lives. Whether you’re white and therefore a terrible dancer, Asian and by definition a bad driver or a girl and worse than boys at sports, we all have to overcome perceptions others form about us before they get to know us.

For me, the stereotypes I face are mostly because of my hair color (blonde)  and choice of extracurricular activity ( cheerleading). These two factors come with the stereotype of being unintelligent.

While blondes alone have a reputation for not being the brightest, being a cheerleader on top of my wispy, blonde hair definitely exacerbated it. While I was able to show those who knew me that the “unintelligent” stereotype didn’t apply to me by starting Kumon at a young age (a torturous activity that I hated with all my might and refused to do daily, raking up piles of unfinished math packets, only to realize years later that this early work was the best thing my parents ever did for me), those who didn’t know me well never would have guessed solving difficult math problems gave me joy.

When I joined the cheer team in high school, I was scared to claim the title “cheerleader,” due to its negative connotations. Even my older sister made jokes about my being a “ditzy cheerleader.” When introducing myself to new people, I called myself a gymnast and hid my inner cheerleader, believing that this portrayal somehow made me more intelligent.

It may have been the confidence I gained from cheerleading, or just a developing lack of concern for what other people thought of me, but by senior year, I embraced on the title of “cheerleader.” Why not say the truth and let people think what they want to?

Recently, a friend I’ve known for years complimented me, in complete seriousness, on my level of intelligence. And while I still have my “blonde moments,” (and sometimes feel I can get away with them because I am blonde — we don’t get to pick our hair color), I don’t mind people knowing I’m a blonde cheerleader — because I am.