African American Stereotypes Essay

The use of stereotypes is a major way in which we simplify our social world. By stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole range of characteristics and abilities we assume all members of that group have. Stereotypes lead to social categorization, which is one of the reasons for prejudice attitudes. Most stereotypes tend to convey a negative impression. Stereotypes exist in different races, cultures, and ethnic groups. Not surprisingly, racial stereotypes always seem to favor the race of the holder and belittle other races. In this essay, I will discuss the following: How African American stereotypes originated, the stereotypes associated with my ethnic group, how stereotypes have been used and whether stereotypes are benign or harmful.
Throughout the greater half of the twentieth century, African Americans were stereotyped as dirty and contaminated. Although it is easy to imagine that lower income individuals may not have had sufficient money for cleaning supplies and might be less concerned about cleanliness, this was simply never true about African Americans. Rather, this stereotype festered to justify laws segregating Black and White Americans under the false notion of cleanliness and disease prevention. Segregation statutes prevented Blacks and Whites from utilizing the same restrooms, drinking fountains, and swimming
The media is the most powerful mind-manipulating tool on earth. The perception of black people in the media today can be a little self-damaging. Black people are often depicted as dumb,evil, lazy, poor and uncivilized. Although there are many negative stereotypes about African American’s most people are surprised to learn that not all stereotypes are true. According to others, we are loud, crack babies,irresponsible, dirty,a wasted generation, poor, hoodlums, low job expectations,violent, drop-outs, have nappy hair, live in the projects, and love fried chicken and