Stereotypes and IdentityEnglish 003-18

Dr. Vilageliu-Diaz

Nashay Washington

Destiny Reynolds-Leak

Jarrett Powell

Deja Lakin

Jayla Anderson

Claim

• People characterize different ethnicities based on the events and obstacles placed in their life and how they go about it.

• This is seen through• Mass Media

• Music

• Historical

• Literature

• Psychology

Stereotypes and Mass Media• Many stereotypes are created and/or encouraged through Mass

Media

• Many examples include• Basketball Wives

• Love and Hip Hop

• Twitter

Example of the stereotypical Black woman.

Stereotypes and Mass Media (con’t)

• Stereotypes against Blacks that are used:• Black women have attitudes

• Black men take no responsibility

• Very little to no education

• Stereotypes are also catalyzed through how the rest of the world views African American culture, esp. in music.

Stereotypes and Music

• African American music (specifically Rap, Hip Hop and RnB) are stereotyped to have no meaning; looked at as trash.

• Some artists fight this stereotype by being original musically and lyrically.

“I rhyme for the commoners, my name synonymous with prominence/ I’m to Hip Hop what Obama is to politics, Common is” “Sweet” (Pictured Left)

"Hopefully my music is medicine, some type of antidote for something." --ERYKAH BADU (Pictured Right)

Stereotypes and Media (con’t)

• Black stereotypes can be found as far back as slavery times.

• Black people were never allowed to play as actors

• White people would paint themselves black and make fun of black people

• The stereotypes used about black people were also used in literature, like Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Recitatif.

• Readers focused on the race of the characters rather than the plot of the story.

Literature and History• Literature is the best source to documenting stereotypes used throughout the years.

• Plays and movies also portray stereotypes as well.• Although there are many African American award winning actors,

producers, writers and directors, their roles are wither not serious or not taken seriously.

• After all of these centuries, one would wonder why there has been little progress in stereotypes and how African Americans are seen. Psychology might have the answer.

Psychology and Stereotypes

• Schema Theory: Psychological theory that says people learn by categorizing certain things and people.

• Could be the reason for why stereotypes exist and shape people’s identities. • If a young black boy only sees black men successful as a basketball

player or rapper, the boy will believe that is the only way he can succeed.

• If a young girl only see successful black women as singers, they will train hard to become one instead of studying.

Call To Action

• Stereotypes are never created by the people in which the stereotype is about.

• This is seen through many black media, movies, music, and literature focused around black people is not taken seriously.

• It is up to African Americans to stop accepting the stereotypes• Tell their children they are intelligent, not basketball players and singers.

• Boycott TV shows and movies that degrade African American History and African American culture.

Works CitedClancy, Tom. Red rabbit. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2002. Print.  

Green, Laura . "Stereotypes:Negative Racial Stereotypes and Their Effect on Attitudes Toward African-Americans." VCU Counseling Services. Virginia Commonwealth University, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/links/VCU.htm>. 

Evans, Curtis. "The Chief Glory Of God [Is] In Self-Denying, Suffering Love!": True Religion In Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin." Journal Of Religion 92.4 (2012): 498-514. Academic Search Premier. 

“Evaluate Schema Theory With Reference to Research Studies.” IBGuides. Ibguides. Web. 20 April 2014 

Morrison, Toni. "Recitatif ." Toni Morrison, Recitatif . N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.

McLeod, Saul. "Stereotypes." - Simply Psychology. Simply Psychology, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. <http://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html>.

Omi, Michael. "In Living Color: Race and American Culture." Signs of Life. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006. 549-559.

"Opportunity for Black Men and Boys: Executive Summary." The Opportunity Agenda. Tides     Center, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014

Reese, Renford. "Dr. Renford R. Reese's Homepage. "Dr. Renford R. Reese's Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

Schmidt, Charles T. “Social Cognition and Cognitive Schema.” University of Rhode Island. 20 April 2014.