Stereotypical Labels

Stereotypical Labels Race is defined as "a group of people of common ancestry, distinguished from others by physical characteristics such as hair type, color of eyes and skin, stature etc" (“Race” 2011). Ethnic is defined as "relating to or characteristic of a human group having racial, religious, linguistic and certain other traits in common" (“Ethnic” 2011). I am African American. I had my friend who is White complete the list. I choose her as I thought it would be interesting to see how someone from another Ethic Group judged others from other Ethnic groups and race. After comparing the list we had the following similarities. We stereotyped and labeled Blacks as lazy, cheap, criminals, poor, treated unfairly, courageous, and fun. We also had similarities toward the White race however; they were more positive labels and stereotypes. We both feel that White people are wealthy, successful, committed, integrity, clean, strong morals, patriotic, and adventurous. There were some differences in our list when it came to smart, athletic, bad drivers, family oriented, spiritual, hardworking, and boisterous. I labeled my own race “Blacks” as smart, athletic, family oriented, spiritual, hardworking, bad drivers, and boisterous. My also labeled her race as the same. I stereotyped Arabs as bad drivers as a result of living in New York and having to deal with them when they drive the yellow taxi cabs recklessly. My friend labeled Blacks as bad drivers. I was curious as to why she thought that so I asked her. Her response was “You all drive like you own the road.” I labeled Jamaicans as boisterous and my friend labeled Blacks as boisterous. I was quite surprised by the ending results of this assignment. I would have never thought that I would be prejudice/stereotype against my own race. I usually become upset when I hear other ethnic groups or races say the negative stereotypes or labels I just displayed. I was also surprised by my friend’s stereotypes toward Blacks. I personally believe that stereotypes are developed through personal experience. Stereotypes also can be developed through television, media, movies, and family. Most people learn about other ethnicities through books, newspapers, research, and other minority or subordinate group members. The only way to fight such far-reaching stereotypes and generalizations is the responsibility of oneself. We cannot change others views, beliefs, or feelings toward stereotyping other subordinate groups. The first step we can take as individuals would be to directly interact and get to know people personally of other races and ethnicities. This will eliminate the stereotyping and labeling. Another action we could take would be social learning. If we are interested in another ethnicity or race history or beliefs we can research and read textbooks (Burgess, 2003). This assignment has taught me that there is a large amount of information I am unaware of in regard to various race and ethnicities. I thought race and ethnicity had the same meaning. I also learned that I should never judge a book by its cover. A person should not be judged by his or her race or ethnicity but as the person he or she is within.

References
Race, Ethnic. (2011). In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Burgess, H. (2003). What Can be Done to Deal with Negative Stereotypes. Retrieved from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/stereotypes/
University of Phoenix. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, ETH125 website.

References: Race, Ethnic. (2011). In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ Burgess, H. (2003). What Can be Done to Deal with Negative Stereotypes. Retrieved from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/stereotypes/ University of Phoenix. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, ETH125 website.