STEREOTYPES EXIST BECAUSE THEY ARE GROUNDED IN TRUTH (Essay Sample)

Muhammad Mumtaz 2018-10-0281 Aamna Khalid SS-100 (Sec-11) 11 November 2015 STEREOTYPES EXIST BECAUSE THEY ARE GROUNDED IN TRUTH We live in a cynical world. This is a world that is defined by cut throat corporate cultures, tall buildings, men in suits, the U.S.A, secret agencies, Stock Market, sharp and incisive media outlets, bright neon lights, a great deal of mistrust and extreme competitiveness. And in this extremely competitive world, Stereotypes are the order of the day. A study by Colorado Research consortium, University of Colorado, defined stereotypes as generalizations, or assumptions, that people make about the characteristics of all members of a group, based on an image about what people in that group are like (Stereotypes 1). The world is so engrossed in its capitalist ways that it has become absolutely dependant on stereotypes to protect it. The logic, of course, is that since these stereotypes have formulated on basis of repeated evidences, they hold value, and that they are a time friendly way of approaching life. But is it not also true that culture is not stable – evolving? Stereotypes do exist. Although many believe that stereotypes are founded on truth nevertheless, stereotypes are not grounded in reality because they do not take into consideration that society is ever evolving, that they frequently persist due to a faulty media and that at times they serve as political weapons. The most convincing argument that is presented by those who believe that stereotypes are based on reality is based on lessons from history, and the fact that they have stood the test of time is testament to their correctness. Proponents of stereotypes may point towards numerous examples of people behaving in accordance with the stereotypes set for them. For instance, an African American prefers RAP music, and that he is strong and evasive. But in hindsight, this basis of argument is maligned and incorrect due to the fact these data are misleading and can be considered an over-generalization. Stereotypes take years to develop, and as such cannot cope with the change in culture and practices of any community. For example, one study of stereotypes revealed that Americans are generally considered to be friendly, generous, and tolerant, but also arrogant, impatient, and domineering. Asians, on the other hand, were expected to be shrewd and alert, but reserved. Clearly, not all Americans are friendly and generous; and not all Asians are shrewd. If you assume you know what a person is like, and don't look at each person as an individual, you are likely to make errors in your estimates of a person's character. Lest we forget, according to the Rolling Stone Magazine, the greatest ROCK guitarist of all time is Jimi Hendrix, an African American. Females are stereotyped to be bad drivers. In the world we live in today, such an assumption is not just crude, but also lashed upon by feminists. It is both discriminatory and incorrect. Therefore, it is preposterous to suggest that stereotypes are grounded in reality on this argument alone. Another argument that is oft presented is based more on examples and assumptions, than on a thesis. This argument suggests that "since a certain part of a community is engaged in an activity that’s part of its stereotype, that makes the stereotype grounded in reality." This argument is filled with fallacies. Like the Religious Stereotype we see existing in America particularly, at present. All this started after the 9/11 incident in New York, in which a particular clan of self-proclaimed Muslims engaged in one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in history. Many lives were lost that day. But is it right to attribute the activities of all Muslims with those of these terrorists? Is it right, to always considering a bearded Muslim as a terrorist? What have the innocent done to deserve the same treatment as that of terrorists in America? Every person has an opinion of their own. These Muslims might as well be more Americans than anyone else. Taking another example into view point, in the democratic world we live in today, is there any place for such a view that is resoundingly similar to Adolf Hitler’s view on Jews? Of course not, but it is essential to present that point because these generalizations are hauntingly similar and dangerous. Another point against this argument is that by definition, a generalization of a stereotype represents a majority. So this argument contradicts the very foundations of stereotype itself. On the other hand, the fact that stereotypes do not take into account the fact that society is ever evolving makes them hollow and invalid. Stereotypes take years to formulate, even generations. Past generations saw women as vulnerable whereas nowadays they are considered an equally important part of the work force. Yet the stereotype persists that women are bad drivers, or that they are weaker than men. A commonly held belief is that it was Eve who made Adam eat the apple, which led to Adam being evicted from heaven on to Earth. This has led to the stereotype that women are the weakness of men. These stereotypes are created because of the slowness of our minds. We take in more of what we are fed, than of what we see for ourselves. We have attached weakness with women even though they are scientifically proven to be capable of enduring more pain than a man. So, are stereotypes grounded in reality? Another argument is that since the media is biased, stereotypes which are propagated through virtual reality cannot be "grounded in truth”. In accordance with the Heisenberg principle of uncertainty, there is no one reality and therefore determining what is real and attributing stereotypes to reality is quite incorrect. Reality is in fact an ever changing phenomenon of space and time and what we classify as real for now, may not be real at some other time. For example, African Americans are stereotyped as being prone to drug addiction. . This image has been circulated from the FBI fed media in the 70’s who wished to start gang wars among them, and propelled further by the antics of reggae singer Bob Marley (who is Jamaican and not African American) and even today, they are stereotyped through films and music videos. The media further shows that colored people frequently use abusive and inappropriate language as compared to the white people, inducing a feeling that black people are more violent than their white equivalents. If anything, this proves yet again that the origins of stereotypes are based on what...