Stereotypes: Spice Girls and Hot Sauce

The majority of us are familiar with the concept of stereotypes. Although this comic focuses on food, its meaning can be generalized to many stereotypes about race. As a society, we generally frown upon stereotypes, yet we all tend to think them. It is often unintentional rather than due to overt bias. Many of us could name several if asked, and it is often the result of ignorance in its purest definition: lack of knowledge or exposure. When a stranger is introduced to an unfamiliar situation, she or he will rely on what little information she or he already has, which is often in the form of some kind of stereotype. Other times, it’s simply done without realizing it. For example, I hadn’t realized my tendency to stereotype all Middle Easterners of being Muslim until meeting a non-Muslim Middle Eastern man, who had to clarify for me that the two words were not interchangeable. 

    Like this man, many minorities must frequently confront the threat of stereotypes many of us are already likely familiar with, both from the majority culture and their own. As an example, though I do not listen to much of it, Black people are often associated with rap music for understandable reasons. It was created by the Black community, is usually performed by people in the community, and is relatively popular within it. But because of this, I feel as though some of my White acquaintances expect me to be versed in this genre of music, particularly when someone is surprised to learn that I cannot identify a particular rapper. At the same time, I have many Black friends who do listen to rap, and I positively associate it with my culture. Because of that, I feel pressure to conform in order to identify with these friends and my heritage. Something as simple as music becomes a source of dilemma. I know many minorities who feel a similar conflict between identifying with their culture and coming off as a stereotype. Of course, this is a relatively light-hearted example that excludes more serious stereotypes regarding intelligence, violent tendencies, legal status, criminal habits, and attractiveness.

    In my personal experience, this is an issue that many White people have not had to collectively deal with. Of course, there are stereotypes about dumb blondes, loud Italians, or drunk Irishmen, etc.. These stereotypes have equally detrimental effects on these groups, but they target particular ethnicities within the White race, rather than White people collectively. For example, when we think of the “thug” stereotype, we think of Black men collectively, not just Jamaican Blacks or Blacks with light brown hair. This stereotype and others target all Black men, no matter their ethnicity or social standing. A derogatory comment about the Irish, while horribly disrespectful to those of Irish descent, will likely not be taken personally by another White person who is not Irish. This is because the statement is aimed at the Irish or White ethnic group rather than all White people.

    There are only two collective stereotypes for White people that I could think of: “White people can’t dance” and the “basic White girl”. The latter of these didn’t even become popular until 2010, and I’ve heard both referenced playfully by those who are White instead of as a constant challenge that needs to be overcome. But I admit that I don’t know everything about White people’s perception on their race and racial stereotypes. If you have a view on it, I would love to hear your opinion.