Myths and Stereotypes - 909 Words

Myth and Stereotypes: Racial Profiling Wendy Horton Kaplan University A stereotype is an exaggerated belief about a group that can be positive or negative but generalizes without allowing for differences (Louisiana Voices, 1999-2003). One example of a stereotype would be racial profiling. Racial profiling is an inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered more likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a â€Å"predictable† manner (Wikipedia, 2010). For instance, some people will hear crime stories all over the news today and automatically assume that an African American, probably male, committed the crime. These crime stories, might indeed, involve African†¦show more content†¦I do not see that this is at all possible. There are too many racist people still left in our world today. They teach it to their children and coming generations. I believe there will always be racial profiling and myths that will never end or go away. Myths and stereotypes are what defines us and who we all are, no matter our skin color, gender or religion. They will continue to exist and define our world. In fact, each year, more myths and stereotypes are formed. Myths and stereotypes will live on. I would want myths and stereotypes to live on. These are the things that define us as individuals and groups. If it were not for these things, many of us would not know who we were truly. These things are what life is made of and will continue to be. It keeps us defined and interested in our surroundings. It keeps us moving forward with direction. I do agree that some stereotypes and myths need to be cooled down a bit, but never non existent. We need them to live. References BookRags. (2005-2006). Civil Rights Movement. St. James encyclopedia of popular culture. http://www.bookrags.com/research/civil-rights-movement-sjpc-01/ Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2005). The living consequences. http://living.jdewperry.com/2009/02/black-americans-and-crime/ Innovations Report. (2004). Reader’s memories of crime stories influenced by racial stereotypes.Show MoreRelatedThe Myth And Stereotypes Of Africa883 Words   |  4 PagesThe myth and stereotypes about Africa are not anything new and they are very present in our daily lives and the way Africa is portrayed. For example the reason why many people today think that Africa is bleak land of poverty and diseases is because early writers, historians, and geographers talked about Africa in that way. Because these stereotypes are so readily available, they infiltrate people’s daily thinking. Furthermore this makes people less likely to actually seek to really learn about Afr icaRead MoreAfrican Americans And Asian Americans1421 Words   |  6 Pagessociologist William Petersen in 1966, the term â€Å"model minority† was not popularized and nationalized as a reference to Asian Americans through radio and television outlets, and even some academics until the mid-1970s. The term was meant to convey a stereotype that Asian Americans were becoming economically successful in post-WWII American by persevering and overcoming disadvantages through emphasis on hard work, strong family ties, and a good education (Maddux et al., 2008). Today, the term has grownRead MoreJudaism- Myths and Misconceptions1599 Words   |  7 PagesStereotyping is rampant throughout the world and people worldwide are stereotyped based on many factors. Stereotypes are generalities about a specific group of people that can be positive; however most stereotypes are distinctly negative. When a group is stereotyped, a definite and distinct set of characteristics attributed to that group of people based on a preconceived appearance of that group. Stereotyping is particularly problematic since it can lead to further discrimination and prejudiceRead MoreThe Increased Misinterpretations of Africa Essay594 Words   |  3 PagesAfrica which results to stereotypical descriptions of the continent. Due to the lack of knowledge of Africa, research done by scholars may be illegitimate or seen as offensive to indigenous Africans. These stereotypes are often inaccurate and fallacious representations of Africa. A general stereotype of Africa is that the whole continent is represented or labeled as the dark continent who face poverty, violence and despair. Since Africa is comprised of a desert or jungle like terrain, most WesternersRead MoreAn Inside Look at Melissa Harris-Perry Essay1597 Words   |  7 Pagesanalyzes the myths surrounding black women and the implication that correlate with these myths. Perry focuses on three main stereotypes of black women that began with slavery and are still prevalent in society today. Perry not only examines the depth and causes of these stereotypes, but she also scrutinizes their role in African Americans lives as citizens today. Black women today are not only separated from society outside of the African American community, but there are also existing stereotypes withinRead MoreSlavery And The Black Race1526 Words   |  7 Pagesthe problems that the slave women faced because they were black and the myths and stereotypes about black women slaves. The life of Women slaves Amidst the Myths and Stereotypes about black women slaves In the Antebellum South, there were different myths and stereotypes about women. But the most important types were two: The Jezebel and the Mammy. The Jezebel The main characteristic of this type of stereotype and myth is that, according to it the black woman was a sexual being. During the timeRead MoreChallenging Aging Stereotypes : Strategies For Creating A More Active Society Essay1548 Words   |  7 PagesIn Dr. Marcia Ory’s article titled Challenging Aging Stereotypes: Strategies for Creating a More Active Society, many common misconceptions about the elderly are presented and disputed, while also addressing the effect these stereotypes have on the elderly’s view of themselves and how it affects their physical wellbeing. Solutions to getting the older population active and engaged while taking care of their bodies are also presented. This assessment provides a comprehensive breakdown of these topicsRead MoreAmerican Institutional And Intellectual Life Essay1455 Words   |  6 Pagesof slavery destroyed African culture in America, and whether it reduced slaves to a child-like state of dependency and incompetence. Anthr opologist Melville Herskovits, and historian Stanley Elkins both weigh in on this debate: Herskovits with, The Myth of the Negro Past, and Elkins with, Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life. In, Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life, Elkins asserts that African culture was all but destroyed by a repressionRead MoreStereotype About Old People, And Aging People And The Society1601 Words   |  7 Pages Kevens Louis Dr. Harvey Research Paper Stereotype About Old People, And Aging People And The Society Usually when people talk about stereotypes, first thing that pop up in someone mind are gender and racial. There are more than gender and racial in stereotypes category. Like age-based stereotype when someone talk about old people they always come up with those: they drive slow, drink decaf coffee ,can t see , are health freaks, love children and many more. As people live longer, the populationRead MoreCultural Myths About Gender And Sex Essay1484 Words   |  6 Pagesseveral Cultural Myths about gender and sex. Gary Colombo, who wrote: â€Å"Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths† explains that a cultural myth is a â€Å"shared set of customs, values, ideas, and beliefs, as well as a common language (3).† In â€Å"Sisterhood is Complicated† by Ruth Padawer, a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine, she focuses on gender and social issues. Padawer shows various stereotypes about gender roles and sex, and how they form multiple cultural myths. Pawader also explains