Introduction
Stereotype is a type of thought that motivates peoples’ mind to generalize the character a certain group of people or an individual. Naturally people tend to conclude about a certain issue subject to the surrounding environment. This act has not yielded any positive gain in the society. Rather it has been a demoralizing attitude to the victims. The main reason as to why Stereotype has been so rampant especially in the recent years is because people are ignorance of the reality around them .People associate the character of a person with those they live with. For instance, a person in the company of thieves is more likely to be associated with theft yet he/she is innocent .In a busy place, the person may lose his or her life. Stereotype is the basis of racism and discrimination.
In developed nations, where democracy precede every decision taken by all citizens and the government, stereotypes towards immigrants have been reportedly increasing every day. This result from migration of people from less developed nations to seek better pastures. Cases of oppression, discrimination and even death have been reported to the law enforcers of the host country.
Most stereotypes area associated with negative character traits. For instance in the United States, Africans are associated with monkeys due to their black complexion. The color is associated with ugliness that “All blacks are Ugly”. This form of discrimination has aggravated to the extent of fuelling violence .In the sports sector, Africans form part of the majority in the playing teams. Fellow players have allowed attitude towards the Africans. They are referred to as Monkeys despite their exemplary performance in the team. The players are racially abused, thus denying them the freedom to express themselves and peacefully develop the talent. Besides this evil practice occurring in the workplace, in the village communities where it originates, its effects are worse and are rarely reported .The victims suffer in silence. (Hutchison and Phillip, 2012)
In his book, “Just Walk on By” Brent Staples Highlights about the plight of black men United State of Chicago, in United States of America. He narrates of an incident that occurred in mid 1970s on a late evening in the streets of Chicago. In a disserted Hyde Park, he was walking behind a woman, when she looked back and took to her heels. He realized that his mere presence on the streets during the night was enough to scare a white woman. The book highlights on issues of gender race and class in the United States of America. Surprisingly he was barely 21years old, a graduate in a new environment. Staples realized that white people associated tall, black people are associated with muggers and rapists. This silent axiom is torturous to the victim and instills fear in them about their uncertain future in a foreign land.
In a similar incident, Stereotype takes away the life of a young man .In February 2012, Trayvon Martin’s, 17 year old is shot dead by George Zimmerman. Eyewitnesses claim that they saw Zimmerman standing over Martin’s body with his gun dangling in his hand. In the courts, Zimmerman claims that he killed Martin’s in self-defense on suspicion that he was a thug. He is charged but later acquitted all the charges. This incident illicit public outrage across all quarters with the issue prejudice dominating in the public outcry. This case and many others highlight the effects of stereotype in any nation.
The main problems that characterize stereotype are discrimination, segregation and fear. Racial discrimination is attributed to stereotype that all blacks are thieves’ .Moreover, with the recent evolution of terrorism; Muslims have been the subject of the stereotype that “All Muslims are terrorists”. This has complicated the living conditions of Muslims with most subjected to arrest and torture. Evaluating Martin’s case, an axiom that all hooded people are thieves prompted Zimmerman to act precautious and killed Martin. Stereotypes can be viewed from either side.
Dangers of Stereotypes
The effects of stereotype are very disheartening and devastating .This mental attitude results in death of innocent victims. People who are innocently accused are killed and stereotype is used as the tool to justify their death. Moreover, it affects self –esteem of the affected individuals. People who are presumed to be bad may view themselves as such and end up in psychological solitude and eventually depression .Stereotype is the foundation of racial discrimination.( Muller,2013) Africans are stereotyped as thugs, rapists and beggars. This affects the cordial relationship between people of different races. This in turn reduces the labor productivity as talented people are demoralized. Brents Staple, highlights of an incident of a journalist working on a murder case, how he was hauled from the car on fear of being a murdered. Fortunately his work credentials saved him from facing death. This act was demoralizing to the victim and could seriously impact his final results in his career.
The most adverse effect of Stereotype is infringement of victims basic rights and justice..In Martin’s case despite the evidence produced in the courts, chances of him getting justice were very minimal. The mental intuition of comparing his dress style to that of bad guys clouded his innocence. In Brents Staple narration of black journalist’s predicaments, the journalist could not have survived if he was to be arrested .Racism could have overshadowed his innocence.
The only rare benefit of stereotype is precaution. However this advantage is frequently used as a shield to perpetrate injustice. For example, an ordinary person with a gun can be assumed to be a thug ‘either way the assumption could be true or otherwise, thou it prepares someone’s psychologically.
Conclusion
In conclusion stereotype is the perpetrator of racism and its time the issue was deliberated in the limelight before it is inherited to the future generation.
Reference
Hutchison, Phillip J. "Reexamining Jack Johnson, Stereotypes, and America's White Press, 1908–1915." Howard Journal of Communications (2012)
Muller, Gilbert H. The McGraw-Hill Reader: Issues Across the Disciplines. MC-Grawhill, 2013.
