Written by: Winston Chow Stereotypes are imposed characterises on certain groups due to race, nationality, or sexual orientation. These characteristics are generally exaggerations of the involved group, and while some people fit the stereotypes, they are not an accurate representation of the group as a whole. Stereotypes are usually inaccurate and even when positive, are generally harmful. Stereotypes vs Generalizations While all stereotypes are generalizations, generalizations are not necessarily stereotypes. Stereotypes are circulated oversimplifications of a certain group of people, while generalizations are based more on personal experience, not a widely-accepted and known factor. In North America, certain racial groups have been repeatedly linked to stereotypes such as being good at dancing, athletics, and math. These stereotypes are very well-known and commonly used that an average person wouldn't even think twice when asked which racial groups excels in basketball. Stereotypes are reproduced countless times until it is present in our society. However, people can make generalizations about an ethnic group that hasn't already been seen in the community. For example, say someone went to Germany and found that all the people there are loud and enjoy frequent parties, might conclude that all people in Germany are loud and thoroughly enjoy parties. That is a generalization since it is based on a personal experience rather than a wide-spread belief. Generalizations don't allow for diversity between groups and often result in discrimination. Intersectionality While stereotypes sometimes refer to a certain race, sex, religion, or nationality, they often link multiple of the aspects together. This is called intersectionality. A stereotype about gay black men would involve race, gender, and sexual orientation. Although it targets a specific group of African Americans rather than black as a whole, it is still problematic to state that all black gay men are the same. Too many factors make up a person's identity to justify having a list of fixed characteristics. There can be differing stereotypes within a larger group, which may result in things such as gender and sexual-orientation based stereotypes within a racial group. For example, certain stereotypes apply to Asian Americans generally, but when broken down by sex, the stereotypes of Asian American men and Asian American women differ in slight ways. Women of a racial group may be viewed as unattractive but men of the same racial group are viewed as the opposite. Stereotypes applied to a certain racial group can become inconsistent because their members are often broken down by origin. Is there truth in stereotypes? It is generally known that stereotypes are made from the truth, but there has been lots of debate if this is factual among professionals in sociology and social psychology. They argue that stereotypes enable us to reply swiftly to situations because we can relate to the similar experiences we had in the past. Stereotypes allow us to ignore that we are all different and unique; therefore we think things about certain people that are not true. Works Cited “BrainyQuote.” BrainyQuote, BrainyQuote, 2020, www.brainyquote.com/topics/stereotypes-quotes. Accessed 22 July 2020. https://www.facebook.com/thoughtcodotcom. “What Is a Stereotype?” ThoughtCo, 2020, www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-stereotype-2834956. Accessed 21 July 2020. “STEREOTYPES.” Emaze Presentations, 2020, www.emaze.com/@AZRIWZIF. Accessed 21 July 2020. "We must reject not only the stereotypes that others have of us but also those that we have of ourselves."-Shirley Chisholm *Please put blog URL as website when commenting*
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About this BlogThis blog aims create thoughtful content on racial injustice related issues and encourage anti-Racism. It is a space open for respectful debate, discussion and ideas on race and Racism-related issues in North America and in our world. If you wish to submit an article for this blog, please contact the founder for details. Winston ChowI want to make change regarding racial injustice in our world. Categories |