Stereotypes In The Progressive Era

Today, some may argue that we at the dawn of a new emerging Progressive Era. Most historians cite the Progressive Era as the period between 1890-1920. The United States saw massive industrialization, paradigm changing inventions such as electricity, the telephone, and automobile, but also extensive activism in social change and political reform. Walter Lippmann wrote Public Opinion in the twilight of the Progressive Era. In chapters, eight and nine, Lippmann explores the idea of “progress” in terms of stereotypes and addresses the “blind spot” inherent of all stereotypes. He delves deep into the multifaceted relationship of moral codes with how they relate to stereotypes and the facts. First, to illustrate how “progress” became in ingrained
That blind spot can be on the outer edges of peripheral vision concealing minor details or move to the center field of vision to black out major specifications. For a blind spot conceals some fact, if it were taken into consideration, would change the entire image the stereotype invokes. When America entered the First World War, they had a stereotypical view of what it would entail for victory. By recruiting unlimited armies, and producing unlimited ships and munitions, victory would be achieved. The blind spot, the unintended consequences of absolute victory, allowed America and allies to push forward towards complete victory without the regards of what the fruits of victory were. On one hand, the blind spot allowed for an unwavering march towards complete, absolute victory, which at the time appeared to be a great thing. However, there comes a time when the blind spot is revealed, and a day of reckoning fragments the stereotype. History shows the flaws in the advantage of the complete victory and the humiliation of an
Many argue we have moved forward with progress on some social matters such as recent Supreme Court decisions on gay marriage rights. Some argue progress would mean readdressing particular constitutional issues such as the second amendment. However, in each case the interpretation, what is progress for some is the opposite of others. The perception of volatile issues is clouded by people’s stereotypes and confounded by the blind spots. One side sees their stereotype of a gun toting theater attendee as a menace to a civilized society; the other side’s stereotypical view sees a potential hero that adverts a tragedy. If the stereotypes’ blind spots were exposed, both sides could see the merits of the other side’s argument and that no simple answers exist. The ambiguity of moral codes may best be portrayed in popular culture by the serial killer character Dexter. Dexter uses his own “moral code” to justify his serial killing of murderers who have beat the system. While this is pure fiction, it reflects how moral codes are developed by one’s interpretations of the pictures in their heads. Whether or not we are in the dawn of a new a Progressive Era, only history will tell. What is certain, the current twenty-first-century university student has unprecedented access to information