Stereotyping

Stereotyping

Introduction

Three of the stereotypes that I have encountered in my life include the ones against the native Indians, policemen and African Americans. These stereotypes have negative implications both at the individual and the societal levels. The reasons behind these stereotypes, and the impact that they have on the people being discriminated are explained including the rationale behind the development of these stereotypes.

Discussion

One of the common stereotypes that exist in America to this day and which I too have been guilty of keeping in my mind is the commonly misjudged impression of the native Indians. There are no justifiable reasons for any of the different stereotypes that are signed towards the Native Americans except that the reasons are due to a misunderstanding that the Americans have of their custom and norms. These stereotypes have been formed over the centuries and are a result of the mistrust that the people have towards the native Indians. This has mostly been due to the fact that the Native Americans have been depicted in popular culture like Hollywood, media, newspaper and on TV. Also their portrayal has mostly been done by people who are not natives, which added to the exaggeration being made against the native Indians. Some of the common stereotypes against Indians are that they all are war like, the same, stoic, are warriors, lack humor in life, ride horses and wear tipis. Some other stereotypes include that they treat their women badly, do not have a civilization and were conquered due to their inferiority. All these stereotypes cause many people to doubt their patriotism. (Mihesuah, 1996).

Even I used to think that all the natives are alike, lack humor and treat their women badly. However, as I matured and started reading a lot of books, I learned that there are 511 different tribes of the natives (Hoxie, Frederick E, 1996). I also learnt on meeting a few natives that native women have held power in their society, and most of these people are in fact very humorous.

All these impressions have been the result of misunderstanding which is the result of these natives being portrayed incorrectly by the media. Since people see natives wearing tipis, riding horses and always posing serious looks in movies and dramas, the common people attach these stereotypes with them. These stereotypes have resulted in much agony for the natives who have been facing racism for a long time. ...