Stereotyping Effect on Different Racial or Ethnic Backgrounds Essay

It is a common reality that people face different pressures regarding acceptance in society. Some are excluded due to their race or ethnic backgrounds, while others are for gender reasons, and social status, among others. These have caused stereotyping, especially when they are victimized, given that most of them naturally find themselves in such situations, it, therefore, frustrates them, causing panic, stress, and anxiety. This paper will analyze stereotypes in people of different races or ethnicities, and their relevance in American institutional society (Ewen, p. 34).

Stereotypes are common opinions and beliefs about particular societal groupings, they may not be necessarily true, but are always taken as one feels. In an anthology, that explores race, gender, and class, Arturo Madrid talks of the others in referring to seclusion and isolation from the American institutional society. The author gives an example of his life in New Mexico marred by isolation and exclusion. He provides several examples in which the other American groups he refers to as Americanos have discriminated against the Hispanos and other minority communities in the U.S. It pains him that lip service given on integration and segregation by the government is just but a lie, and getting into large institutions is challenging with very little chance of promotion if you do get there (Hazard, pp. 13-14). For instance, he gives an example of a time when he went for an interview and a Mr. Madrid called him a one-dimensional man while inquiring how he would think in a multidimensional way. This was a prejudgment based on his American Indian roots and excluded him from fair judgment with other Americanos. This, in essence, makes people stereotyped as they find it difficult to understand why they are referred to like others. It is clear proof and an indication that stereotypes are real in American society (Anderson and Collins, pp. 18-22).

In the olden days, only those thought to be rigid or authoritarian were labeled as stereotypes, but recent sociological studies have suggested that prejudices are ordinary and not associated with conflict, or emotional development as they thought before. Self-satisfaction is most notable in those who feel superior to others with the need to build their self-esteem (Anderson and Collins, pp. 103-105). This makes them feel that their groupings are the measuring rod or standard while others are inferior. It is quite unfortunate since, in reality, more often than not, this is usually an imagination. Like in the example given, Hispanos are taken to be one-dimensional compared to Americanos, and this distinct the two groups when they interact, although in reality, they are the same people, who learned in the same institutions and thought in similar dimensions.

Coping mechanisms to deal with stereotyping

According to Madrid, people should work towards mitigating marginalization; this will help by conveying and appreciating different cultures, which will, in turn, reduce tensions at a societal level. Similarly, Trask talks of Western colonization in his story from a native daughter, insisting that for Western Historian to avoid stereotypes, and taking of their culture to be superior, they should take time to understand Hawaiian culture. In essence, he implies that for us to deal with stereotyping we need to understand other people’s culture and through it, we can avoid assumptions and prejudice. This way, they can develop a bond between people and land, and interpret according to them, not in their European terms. He gives an example of a parole Historian who ignored their evidence on colonization, insisting that what the western historian wrote was correct. Western history accuses them of feudalism while they insist that colonizers brought it (Anderson and Collins, pp. 45-51).

In Patricia Williams’ story, it is seen that racial matters still infect our institutions. Her rates are increased when they realize she is African, basing their arguments on the falling rates, which could imply that wherever an African goes, the rates fall (Anderson and Collins, pp. 103-105). Her method was to threaten the bank, and they backed down. This method shares in Madrid’s sentiments of struggling to pursue a stereotype-free world, even if it means suing (Hurst, p. 12). In addition, Sayeed talks of a Muslim woman, whose father wants to, arrange a marriage to ensure that she follows their cultural traditions, at this time she has integrated with the new Western life and having read feminist theories, is trying to relate the two cultures. She studies both cultural lines, at the same time insists on keeping Indian Muslim traditions and practices. In this, she tries to define her identity and its relevance in society, as a female (Anderson and Collins, pp. 358-364).

Conclusion

Identity has been a crucial subject when different cultures and races come together. This is because they identify with different cultures and behaviors that they believe are superior to others, causing stereotypes. From the case studies, it could be seen that Western culture has a unique identity, those who identify with it think it is superior to all other cultures in the world. The U.S is an example of a place in which the trend continues. Madrid gives us an example of Hawaiian people who are dejected and still angered by feudalism brought about by the Americanos who they accuse of taking their land, and causing their 80% decline, as is reflected in the political song, (Anderson and Collins, pp. 18-22).

Trask also voices his sentiments on Western historians, who take their perspective to analyze Hawaiian history (Anderson and Collins, pp. 45-51). They even insist on knowing their form of government without understanding their culture or even at least, language. They consider their methods as primitive and this is just socially constructed because there is no clear evidence on what is standard or primitive. Another element of socially constructed identity can be seen as illustrated by Williams, in which, initially, the bank accepts and approves the loan, thinking that she is white, but later complicates matters on realizing she is black, insisting that rates had fallen in the area, which was not true (Anderson and Collins, pp. 103-105).

In the last case of a young Muslim woman’s story is given, who grapples with life in Kansas, her father wants her to identify with their religion and traditions by wearing masks and veil, which to her seems distant, although she concurs to respect those who wear them (Kleg, p. 22). It is quite evident that people are grappling with identity issues, and this has caused stigmatization, isolation, and prejudice to other native and minority groups in the U.S. The authors are seeking integration and segregation, which will appreciate all the cultures and deal with stereotypes. In other words, race, gender, and class still matter (Anderson and Collins, pp. 358-364).

Works Cited

1. Anderson, Margaret and Collins, Patricia. Race, Class, and Gender: An Anthology (6^th Ed.). Wadsworth Publishing. 2006. Print.
2. Ewen, Stuart and Ewen, Elizabeth. Typecasting: On the Arts and Science of human inequality. New York. Seven Stories Press. 2006. Print.
3. Hazard, Paul. The European mind. Cleveland, Ohio: Meridian Book. 1969. pp. 13-14.
4. Hurst, Charles. Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences. (6^th Ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc, 2007. Print.
5. Kleg, Milton. Hate prejudice and racism. State University of New York Press.1993. Print.