"Stereotyping & Racial Profiling"

"Stereotyping and Racial Profiling"

Reality CHECK

IMAGINE...

Each person is representative of a mixture of “cultures and experiences”…

Diversity Involves: Recognizing our unique differences, Attracting people of all backgrounds, Recognizing how attitudes affect us all, Creating an environment where all can succeed, Acting to promote diversity . Primary dimensions of diversity includes those characteristics we have the power to change. Secondary dimensions are aspects we can't change.

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look like this. There would be:

•61 Asians, 12 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south; 13 Africans, 50 would be female, 50 would be male, 74 would be nonwhite, 26 would be white, 67 would be non-Christian, 33 would be Christian, 89 would be heterosexual, 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States, 80 would live in substandard housing, 14 would be unable to read, 33 would die of famine, 1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth, 7 would have a college education, 8 would own a computer, and 11 would be homosexual.

DEAD END

It’s said that stereotypes are based in truth, but is this a valid statement? People who make this argument often want to justify their use of stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes is that they suggest that groups of people are inherently prone to certain behaviors. However, stereotypes can become dangerous when they are inflexible and relied solely upon for information processing. Many people neglect to embrace diversity. For instance, the trial of Gov. Fitial's impeachment has shed light on how divided and stupid we can become.

Results

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO START HERE... NEW BEGINNINGS ARE ALWAYS THERE.THE QUESTION IS, "WILL YOU DO IT?" Stereotyping is never an option... It doesn't have to include you.

BEHIND THE SCENES -

Do you see Agree?

Negative Stereotypes: All blond women are dumb. All red heads are sluts. Christians are homophobic. They are blinded by God and will recruit you if you go near them. All politicians are philanders and think only of personal gain and benefit. If I wear Goth clothing I'm a part of a rock band, depressed, or do drugs. Girls are only concerned about physical appearance. Guys are messy and unclean. Men who spend too much time on the computer or read are geeks. Men who are not into sports are termed as gay. All librarians are women who are old, wear glasses, tie a high bun, and have a perpetual frown on their face. Girls are not good at sports. All teenagers are rebels. All children don't enjoy healthy food. Only anorexic women can become models. Women who smoke and drink do not have morals. Men who like pink are effeminate.

Positive Stereotypes: All Blacks are great basketball players. All Asians are geniuses. All Indians are deeply spiritual. Asians have high IQs. They are smarter than most in Math and Science. These people are more likely to succeed in school. African Americans can dance. All Canadians are exceptionally polite. French are romantic. All Asians know kung fu. All African American men are well endowed. Italians are good lovers.

Gender/Racial Stereotypes: •All white people are all racist. Chinese will eat anything. All Asians are Communists. All Australians are bullies, racists, drinkers and constantly uses swear words. They are also portrayed as lazy and stupid morons. People from the Indian subcontinent are generally portrayed as shopkeepers and motel owners. Irish are alcoholics. Women take 2 hours to shower. Men like car or porn magazines.

Exposed!

The Issue

In the United States, for example, racial groups are linked to stereotypes such as being good at math, athletics, dancing and so forth. So well-known are these stereotypes in the U.S. that the average American likely wouldn’t hesitate if asked to identify which racial group in this country is known for excelling in basketball. In short, when one stereotypes, one repeats the cultural mythology already present in a particular society.

Feisty. Seductive. Intelligent. Used to describe individuals, the preceding adjectives pose no particular problem. Used to describe groups of people, however, these same adjectives may constitute stereotypes. What is a stereotype? Stereotypes are qualities assigned to groups of people related to their race, nationality and sexual orientation, to name a few. Because they generalize groups of people in manners that lead to discrimination and ignore the diversity within groups, stereotypes should be avoided. While all stereotypes are generalizations, not all generalizations are stereotypes. Stereotypes are oversimplifications of people groups widely circulated in certain societies.