D espite an age of political correctness in the U.S. most people still stereotype people based on race, according to a survey at World Journalism Preparatory School. The 11-question survey answered by 25 students showed that 92% of students make assumptions about a person’s intelligence, culture and other abilities.
The survey included many questions about topics like food, academics, abilities and more. Four students were asked to write down a list of stereotypes they believe. After collecting all the data, the surveyed showed that the most popular stereotype was “All Asians excel in math”. 80% of the people surveyed agreed with this judgment.
When asked why they believed this to be true, Katherine, a 9th grader stated, “I believe this is true because I think in their country they make them work extra hard in math”. The other student, who asked to remain nameless had a different explanation. “They come to America for better opportunity and when they get here they take advantage of them”.
The rest of the results on the stereotype survey:
52% believed that all African Americans can dance
48% believed that all Mexicans can do yard work and that all Hispanics have big butts
24% believed that all Caucasians eat bologna
16% believed that all Asians have SARS
12% believed that all African Americans are criminals
8% believed that all Caucasians are racists.
One of the surveyors were asked, what does a stereotype mean to them? The surveyor said that they think it’s an action one person does that affects all of its subcultures. It isn’t understood, why do we as people, feel the need to apply one action made by one individual as a stereotype. Stereotypes are just wrong all the way around. If someone makes a judgment about you in a negative way, you want to prove them wrong, if someone makes a positive judgment about you, you try to meet those expectations and are considered a failure if you don’t. When you judge someone you’re branding them like cattle. Stereotypes can evolve from three units. Parent/guardian, Work/School, and the media. This bad habit can be absorbed at a young age. If children see that their parents believe something about a subculture that will make them think that is right. They may see their parents as a role model, and a role model shouldn’t set that kind of example. Therefore, Parents should watch what they say because it could have a big impact.
Depending on the setting people can adopt this habit. Some may observe stereotypical people in school and will adapt to that way of life. In school children discover teasing, so when they see someone being teased in a judgmental way that will tie that in to other people in that subculture, same in a working setting. The media has a very large impact on stereotypes. Many people go by what they see on TV. Someone’s role model may be a celebrity. Therefore, If they see or hear a celebrity doing something, that affects them. Also, people who would like to pursue a career similar to the one a famous celebrity does, they will mimic them. They will think oh they did this and got away with it so I can get away with it.
In movies and TV shows the characters sometimes say very stereotypical comments. Yes, It can be funny but, the impact has to be realized. Even though it is fictional it still shouldn’t be advertised. For instance, the film White Chicks and many Tyler Perry plays and movies are very fun to watch but sometimes they say very stereotypical material. On the small screen, TV shows Boondocks, and Family Guy are always stating stereotypical comments. We need to stop this because this small topic can affect so many things in life. We can stop it, control it, and make a difference. You can’t just categorize people, we all are different. We all are individuals with many different backgrounds.
