Stereotyping and Representation:
The Importance of a Complex Cultural Narrative
Marina Mckonic
ETHS 101C
Lind
9 May 2018
Stereotyping and Representation:
The Importance of a Complex Cultural Narrative
Racial and ethnic stereotyping has been a form of oppression throughout the history of many nations. Reducing a group to a singular, negative identity developed in order to keep it from advancing to the position of its oppressor, and as a relief of responsibility from oppressive actions. This has been applied to numerous groups, perhaps most notably — Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, and Asian Pacific Americans. From degrading slurs like “greaser,” or “coon,” to blackface television shows; stereotypes have been used to entertain, dehumanize, enslave, and torment. The damage caused by an oversimplified identity, lies in the fact that one group creates this image on behalf of another. When one strips another’s right to their own identity, it creates an ongoing cycle of power imbalance, loss of humanity, and often times — violence. This pattern benefits groups in power by giving a sense of complete control over one’s livelihood. Unfortunately, this loss of integrity for the oppressed is deep-seated in American culture. Perhaps even more harmful, it is not as recognizable as it once was. Through modern-day systems of oppression, such as media misrepresentation, and lack of awareness; stereotypes continue to persist. Expanding the incomplete identities of those who have been antagonized by stereotyping, would help in repairing the damage caused by stereotypes.
To begin understanding the nature of stereotypes means to also understand by which means they have developed, and their historical context. When discussing the following four groups — Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, and Asian Pacific Americans; a key detail to emphasize is their history of conquest. Aside from Asian Pacific Americans, conquest is the precedent to many systems of oppression; including stereotyping. Stereotyping is not a singular event by any means, and therefore should be treated as a continuing part of the negative culture surrounding the four groups discussed.
It is important to learn how stereotypes benefit the oppressor and limit the stereotyped group. Using the Native American experience as an example, stereotypes were used to enslave, dehumanize, and separate Native Americans from “white” American society.
Works Cited
Tukachinsky, Riva, et al. "The Effect of Prime Time Television Ethnic/Racial Stereotypes on Latino and Black Americans: A Longitudinal National Level Study." Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, vol. 61, no. 3, Sept. 2017, pp. 538-556. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/08838151.2017.1344669.
Dunsmoor, Joseph E., et al. "Racial Stereotypes Impair Flexibility of Emotional Learning." Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience, vol. 11, no. 9, Sept. 2016, pp. 1363-1373. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1093/scan/nsw053.
Yeates, Peter, et al. "A Randomised Trial of the Influence of Racial Stereotype Bias on Examiners' Scores, Feedback and Recollections in Undergraduate Clinical Exams." BMC Medicine, vol. 15, 25 Oct. 2017, pp. 1-11. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0943-0.
Tukachinsky, Riva, et al. "Documenting Portrayals of Race/Ethnicity on Primetime Television over a 20-Year Span and Their Association with National-Level Racial/Ethnic Attitudes." Journal of Social Issues, vol. 71, no. 1, Mar. 2015, pp. 17-38. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/ josi.12094.
Izumi, Yutaka and Frank Hammonds. "Changing Ethnic/Racial Stereotypes: The Roles of Individuals and Groups." Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal, vol. 35, no. 6, Aug. 2007, pp. 845-852. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.cyclib.nocccd.edu/login? url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=a9h&AN=26297841&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Stark, Evan. "The Myth of Black Violence." Social Work, vol. 38, no. 4, July 1993, p. 485. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.cyclib.nocccd.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=9311155030&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
WIGO, BRUCE. "Understanding and Disproving Racial Stereotypes." Swimming World, vol. 59, no. 2, Feb. 2018, p. 19. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.cyclib.nocccd.edu/login?url=http:// search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=127704938&site=ehost- live&scope=site.
Rubin, Jennifer. "Donald Trump's Ingrained Racism." News India Times, vol. 47, no. 41, 07 Oct. 2016, p. 3. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.cyclib.nocccd.edu/login?url=http:// search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=118727343&site=ehost- live&scope=site.