Essay On Prejudice And Stereotyping

Prejudice and Stereotypes
According to the article “Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotyping” by Susan T. Fiske, she states “Even in one’s own family, everyone wants to be seen for who they are, not as “just another typical X. But still, people put other people into groups, using that label to inform their evaluation of the person as a whole—a process that can result in serious consequences.” This process is also known as prejudice and stereotyping. We treat people the way we do because of stereotypes and prejudice. Stereotypes were undisguised, unashamed, and were expected to be shared by all. We know them now as blatant biases. According Fiske blatant biases are “conscious beliefs, feelings, and behavior that people are perfectly
Fiske wrote, “Openly expressing prejudice is like blowing second-hand cigarette smoke in someone’s face...” People who have a negative emotional reaction to a group of people without even having a reason to dislike them is called prejudice. Although prejudice isn’t expressed in most groups, and if it is, people are criticized for their behavior, these biases still exist. Fiske claims, “These subtle biases are unexamined and sometimes unconscious, but real in their consequences. They are automatic, ambiguous, and ambivalent, but nonetheless biased, unfair, and disrespectful to the belief in equality.”
Stereotypes and prejudice play a big role in how we treat people. Today’s stereotypes are not yesterday’s stereotypes, but at the same time they are very similar. Prejudice, like stereotypes, are not okay. We like ourselves, therefore we like the groups we hang out with more than other groups, showing prejudice. Fiske states, “You are an individual, full of beliefs, identities, and more that help make you unique. You don’t want to be labeled just by your gender or race or religion. But as complex as we perceive ourselves to be, we often define others merely by their most distinct social