You're drinking Starbucks? Stereotypical ignorant white girl. It's probably not even actual coffee.

Any comments would be appreciated! I don't think my ending sentence is strong enough to be remembered... any suggestions on that? Also, I purposefully used a rather subdue example of a stereotype as I didn't want the portrayal of the stereotype to be the stronghold of my essay, I just wanted it to help me get my point across. Do you think using this rather simple stereotype hurts me? Should I change it?

Stereotyped beliefs have the power to become self-fulfilling prophecies for behavior. 300 words

"Oh, you're drinking Starbucks? Stereotypical ignorant white girl. It's probably not even actual coffee," a stranger spat at me at the sight of the signature white-and-green cup clutched in my hand. This preconceived notion of my personality based simply off an object in my hand only contributed to my fleeting teenage lack of self-confidence. Not only was my piping hot cup indeed filled with dark roast coffee, extra bold, no cream and no sugar, but I was in no sense ignorant. I'd actually gone to get this very coffee to give me a boost in my academic studying.

Stereotypes reflect a certain innate human tendency to group certain people based on extraneous characteristics. In an attempt by humans to neatly organize their world into acceptable and unacceptable, complex individual variance is neglected. Faced with a stereotype, there are two perceived courses of action: compliance with the stereotype so as to feel comfort and solace, or defiance against the stereotype to feel unique and distinct. These actions both hold the power for the stereotype to induce a self-fulfilling prophesied behavior as both actions are dependent on what the stereotype itself says.

The effects of stereotypes are merely negative. They destroy an individual's specific set of characteristics and replace them with inaccurate beliefs conceived by others. They force an individual to either comply with the set guidelines of their given circumstances to fit in or defy who they truly are to stand out. But there is a third course of action one can ensue when faced with a stereotype, one which I ensue: to act on one's own accord regardless of the stereotypes placed on their characteristics. And that's why I drink my delectable Starbucks dark roast extra bold with no mind for anyone who attributes facts about me to it.

299 words

Stereotypes reflect a certain innate human tendency to group certain people based on extraneous characteristics. In an attempt by humans to neatly organize their world into acceptable and unacceptable, complex individual variance is neglected. Faced with a stereotype, there are two perceived courses of action: compliance with the stereotype so as to feel comfort and solace, or defiance against the stereotype to feel unique and distinct. These actions both hold the power for the stereotype to induce a self-fulfilling prophesied behavior as both actions are dependent on what the stereotype itself says.

I think you have a wonderfully assertive personality, but maybe try to focus a little more on how the stereotype affected you? Honestly really liked this response though (and the way you vividly describe your experiences, bravo!)

What is being ignorant? explain that and why you arent ignorant
As for the last sentence you can say something like : I drink Dark roast coffee wether it's Starbucks or not without considering other people's opinion". Try out something like that and maybe add more a little more detail to it

As I am right at the word limit, do you have any suggestions as to where I could cut back (so I can go into more depth about how the stereotype affected me)? Thanks for the advice, I appreciate your kind words!