I have been alive for 19 years and was exposed to race at a very young age. I don’t remember much about being a toddler but have seen pictures and videos of neighbors and friends that my family spent time with. The family that lived next door to us was black and their son was the same age, so we played together often. I was in the 5th grade when my dad started a football league with a close friend that was also black and they coached us for two years. I didn’t think much about the color of his skin at the time.
I simply respected him as a coach and thought of his son as a good friend and amazing player. I wasn’t aware of all the stereotypes that people face due to race because my family treated them the same as everyone else. As I got older, my parents began to educate me about the different forms of discrimination that people deal with due to race, ethnicity, religion and culture. I have been lucky enough to not have to deal with this myself because I am a white male that has been subjected to something called “white privilege.
” White privilege refers to societal advantages that white people are argued to benefit from beyond those commonly experienced by people of color in the same social, political, or economic spaces. (Clark) The concept of “white privilege” is reiterated in the article written by Dyer, whereby he states, “Whiteness is dominant in society and all white people speak about white people and only white people. ” He also states, “when talking about race or racial imagery white people are never discussed and its always people of different races.
The Essay on Friend Vs Family Member
Everyone dreams to have a dear companion. Some find the companionship with the family members. Some find it with friends. There are needs and wants that only a family member or a friend could give. For example, you are in need money or other material things, your family will be the first ones to provide it for you. In addition to that , your family is in charge in the preparation of your ...
” (Dyer) Although I am not discriminated against personally, I have seen how prevalent it still is in today’s society as well as the stereotypes that individuals endure on a daily basis. Race is a classification system used to categorize humans into large and distinct populations or groups by cultural, ethnic, genetic, religious or social affiliation. (Wiki) I am a Caucasian male, my ethnicity is Italian and my religion is Catholic. Race has never been that much of an issue for my family but I understand why it would be for some others.
My parents made an effort to talk to my siblings and me about race and stereotypes when we were growing up, but that is not always the case in many families in today’s society. In his article regarding this topic, Bronson states that he “believes most families don’t sit down and talk to their kids directly about race. ” He also says that “parents might have asserted vague principles like “Everybody’s equal” or “God made all of us” but they most likely never called attention to all the racial differences people believe.
” (Bronson) There are a large amount of stereotypes present today that pertain to a person’s race and ethnic background. For example, individuals in foreign countries may believe that white Americans are obese, lazy and dim-witted. A popular figure that portrays this stereotype would be Homer Simpson from the cartoon, “The Simpsons. ” Homer is overweight, doesn’t work hard, and is not very bright. Although “The Simpsons” cartoon is intended for entertainment purposes, it does accurately portray this stereotype.
Mexicans face discrimination about their citizenship and are often stereotyped as being illegal aliens. They are typically thought of as laborers that are hired to perform jobs that don’t require documentation or an education. Although a small percentage of Mexican individuals have jumped the border and entered the country illegally, it is unfair to categorize the entire Mexican population in this way. Arabs have faced an increased amount of stereotyping and discrimination over the past several years due to the terrorist attacks on the United States on 9/11.
The Essay on Italy Family Italian World
Imagine riding through the waterways of Venice, Italy, taking in all the beautiful sights and smell of perfectly cooked pasta streaming from numerous waterfront restaurants. If I could be any place in the world right now, this is where I would be found. Italy's rich culture and celebrated history combined with its breathtaking scenery makes it a desired destination for anyone. Some of the main ...
This type of discrimination is most evident in an airport. Security has been increased tremendously and individuals of Arab descent may feel that they are being targeted or unjustly scrutinized because of the way they look. Although these measures are in place for every traveler, I do feel that Arabs deal with a general feeling of mistrust from other passengers and airport personnel. Asians are stereotyped as being extremely smart and proficient in the subjects of math and science and thought to pursue careers in engineering or the medical field.
They are also stereotyped as healthy eaters that enjoy rice and are considered to be slow, unskilled drivers. I have personally had several interactions with Asians, and although I realize that stereotypes are not necessarily true, the individuals that I have encountered were very intelligent and pursuing advanced degrees in math and science. I have also had a personal experience with an Asian while driving. An older Asian woman was driving too slowly on the highway and seemed unaware of the chaos she was causing and the possibility of an accident.
I hate to admit that I believe this stereotype about Asian people, but every encounter that I have had has proven it to be true. The Irish are stereotyped as being drunks that love to have a good time while eating lots of potatoes and wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day. My grandparents are Irish and I have heard these types of discriminatory statements many times. Alcoholism does in fact exist on this side of my family, but I do not blame it on them being Irish. My grandparents are happy people that enjoy life to the fullest and embrace their Irish heritage. The other side of my family is Italian.
The stereotype that is most often associated with Italians is that they all belong to the Mafia and are involved in organized crime. They also enjoy eating pasta, pizza, and cheese, and drinking wine. I have grown up surrounded by Italian family members. Some of them have never fully mastered the English language. I have definitely indulged in my fair share of pastas and delicious cooking. I agree with the stereotypes about eating, however I have never been exposed to any types of organized crime and I feel that is an unfair depiction of the Italian people.
The Essay on African americans Between 1877 And 1928 Research
African-Americans between 1877 and 1928 - research (1) With abolition of slavery in U.S., African-Americans were given the opportunity of social advancement. However, many Blacks were not able to take advantage of the fact that they had realized themselves a free people, all of a sudden. This was due to White racism remaining to serve as foundation, upon which social policies in America were based ...
While several races and nationalities are confronted with discrimination, I think the African Americans deal with it more often then others. African Americans were brought to this country as slaves and subjected to horrible treatment. Although slavery was abolished in the 1800s, stereotypes and discrimination remain prevalent today. African Americans are stereotyped as being poor, criminals, rappers, and athletic. Research on crime statistics has shown that African American men engage in violent crimes at the highest rates of all racial categories.
People typically believe that African Americans are more athletic than other races because of the proportion of black versus white men in sports like basketball and track. This is evident in the National Basketball Association where African Americans were represented by 78% of all NBA players in the 2011 basketball season. (NBA) People of color are frequently discriminated against when pursuing employment and don’t have the same educational opportunities afforded to them that whites do. Many black families live in poverty and poorer neighborhoods that do not have quality schools.
The lack of access to an education results in lower scores on standardized tests and difficulty in pursuing a higher education. This in turn forces them into poverty. Finally African Americans are stereotyped as being rap musicians. The rap industry is predominantly black, although a few white rappers, including Eminem, have broken into this industry and found success. I was raised to treat all people equally regardless of race, religion or beliefs. I have strived to treat people the way that I want to be treated because that’s the type of person I am. Discrimination and stereotypes are still prevalent in today’s society.
I admit that I am guilty of stereotyping people myself at times as noted in my personal experiences. Our society is constantly evolving and the issues of racial discrimination may never fully disappear. I believe that people are responsible for the discriminatory actions they take. As a society, we need to work towards the goal of eliminating racial bias and stereotypes. Works Cited “Race (human Classification).
The Essay on African American Male Stereotype
... races are stereotyped against but African Americans are one of the most frequent racial groups stereotyped against. One of the most common and damaging stereotype against African American ... was necessary in preserving the purity of the white race. However 25.3 percent of black that was charged ... about black males going around killing and robbing people. This stereotype has a major impact on how black ...
” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013. Clark, Kendall. “Defining “White Privilege”” Defining “White Privilege” N. p. , n. d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
