Many of the connotations that Americans have of other races, ethnicities, and religions (other than their own) are not necessarily true. In today’s society we call these STEREOTYPES. This bulletin board is to help define what a stereotype is and also to discuss some of the racial associations we make today!

WHAT IS A STEREOTYPE?

Stereotype: a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group

The White Stereotype

• All white people love mayonnaise

• They are dimwitted rednecks and yokels

• Whites are materialistic and pleasure loving

• All white people are racists

The African American Stereotype

• All African Americans are poor

• All African Americans love watermelon

• All African Americans love to play dice

• All African Americans eat and love fried chicken

• All African Americans are devout Christians

Top ten stereotypes of Black Americans[3] Year 1933 1995

1 Superstitious Athletic

2 Lazy/Slovenly Rhythmic/Musical

3 Happy-go-lucky Unintelligent/Ignorant/Stupid

4 Ignorant Poor

5 Musical Loud

6 Ostentatious Criminal

7 Very Religious Hostile

8 Dirty (physically) Very Religious

9 Naïve Loyal to Family

10 Unreliable Dirty (physically)

Chinese Stereotypes

• They are all short

• They are extremely smart and technologically savvy

• They all wear glasses and cannot see well

• They all eat and love rice

The Hispanic Stereotype

• They are all illegal aliens

• They ride 10 to a car

• They are all lazy

• They all cannot drive

• They all refuse to learn the English language

What do these stereotypes do?

• Facilitate in discrimination across the nation.

• Allow for hate to settle in the minds of people.

• Destroy confidence levels in particular races

What can we do then?

• Start treating others with equality and justice

• Do not judge a book by its cover

• Be understanding of others differences

References

• “Are Racial Stereotypes Really Fading?” by P.G. Devine and A.J. Elliot

• www.dictionary.com

• “Racial Stereotypes: Associations and Ascriptions of Positive and Negative Characteristics” by Samuel L. Gaertner