Defining Stereotype:
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing;
a generalization or exaggerated and distorted conception of a group (Dictionary.com)
a generalization or exaggerated and distorted conception of a group (Dictionary.com)
Racial Stereotypes are thus over-generalized qualities assigned to groups of people based on their race, culture, or ethnicity. There are negative race-based stereotypes and positive race-based stereotypes. However, since the main premise of a stereotype ignores diversity and individual differences within ethnic groups and reinforces manners that lead to discrimination, all stereotypes, even if positive in nature, should be avoided. Many teachers, for example, admire the perceived academic prowess and motivation of Asian students but can fail to recognize how even a "positive" stereotype isn't positive if it presses students into molds not built for them individually. Research and literature also indicate that racially-motivated biases exist not only between members of different racial groups, but also among individuals who belong to the same racial group (Maddox, 2006).
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Racial stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination reflect the human tendencies to conceptualize and value certain configurations of phenotypic features differently, and act on these thoughts and feelings in our interactions with members of racial categories (Maddox, 2006). Many of us, at one point or another, have experienced, acted on, or lay witness to racial or cultural stereotypes in numerous ways. In both overt and subtle forms, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination exhibited among individuals belonging to different racial categories has long been a significant source of social strife for many groups (Maddox, 2006). It is reinforced and perpetuated throughout all aspects of society, whether it be the media, popular culture, or within our education systems. These stereotypical beliefs play a huge part in determining any one individual's experiences and level of success in life as it creates obstacles and barriers that may inhibit their progress along the way.
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The above video is a media education project created by a student highlighting some common stereotypes placed on various racial groups and the responses and realities that are associated with such stereotypes. It sends a message that every individual is different and cannot be judged based on qualities associated with a generalized group categorization.
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Why Do We Stereotype?
Stereotyping arises out of the need to generalize in order to make sense out of a very complicated environment. It allows people to easily categorize new things into comfortable spaces already defined by their experiences. We stereotype people when we are unable or unwilling to obtain all of the information we need to make a fair judgement about people or situations (Maddox, 2006). In the absence of the so called 'total picture,' to stereotype people in many cases allows us to fill in the missing pieces of information. Our society often innocently creates and perpetuates stereotypes, but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution. These generalizations root from our experiences we have had ourselves, read in books, and magazines, seen in movies or television, or have been related to us by friends and family. In some cases, these stereotypical generalizations can be reasonably accurate. There is a positive side to stereotyping as such generalizations are necessary: in order to be able to interact effectively, we must have some idea of what people are likely to be like, which behaviors will be considered acceptable, and which not. In many cases however, we stereotype groups of people because it has become an unconscious part of our minds or simply because society has told us that stereotyping is okay to do.