Thoughts on Stereotypes

I have always thought stereotypes was mean and wrong, but that was when I was fairly new to America and when I was having hard time breaking the language barrier to learn this new culture. I started realizing that stereotypes are made not to be mean, but because of things that certain groups or race would generally do. It's just natural, and self-fulfilling as Snyder said. But also, "it is because they have not learned enough about the diversity among these groups and have not had enough contact with members of the groups for their stereotypes to be challenged by reality" (571). As I became more and more aware of American culture, it was easier to see both, my own country's view and the Americans view on certain stereotypes. I agree with what Snyder said, because for example, I can see how some America-things can be offensive towards newly international person, where as for me is not a big deal because I understand and used to the American side too. I think language and culture barrier creates the most stereotypes in this case.

Another example I can think of is a movie "Hangover" and the Asian character Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong). Someone who doesn't know a lot about American culture might find his role in the movie very offensive, but for me or any Asian-Americans that grew up with the American culture, we find it humorous because it's just seen and taken in differently. If the Asian character in the movie acted as if he was Americanized and had perfect English in order to not offend anyone, it wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't necessarily call his role bashing or making fun of Asians even though the movie uses the Asian stereotypes, I think it's important to understand the both sides and know where it's coming from.

However, when I was reading about the picture and telephone experiment on Snyder's reading, it was a different story because the people who participated in the experiment were prejudice against the other person on the phone based on stereotypes of "unattractive" people. In my opinion, although stereotype is self-fulfilling nature but if it is used against someone to prejudice them, it can be offensive and unacceptable.

Hoon S