Identify a group (ethnic, national, geographical etc.) that you belong to or you descend from.
Ex: Italian, Caribbean, African American, Vietnamese, German, Brazilian, Native American etc.
Even if the roots are far far in the past (English, Scottish, Swiss), even if you do not identify with those roots, list the stereotypes about that group. This is a serious exercise. Think in these terms:
"What do people in general think, what kind of automatic association do they make in their minds when they hear that you are -- for instance -- Asian Indian?"
Click COMMENT below:
Write a bullet-type list; each item one, max two words. Keep it telegraphic.
REPLY: choose a list from a classmate that introduces a stereotype you didn't know existed, and write a comment about it.
Chinese
ReplyDelete-Smart/Math
-Similar looks
-Weird food
I didn't know that people think Chinese people have weird foods. I think mainly because foods are obviously different from culture to culture, it's ignorant to think that one culture's food is "weird".
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ReplyDeleteJamaican
ReplyDelete-Smokes weed
-Fast runner
-loud
-Rastafarian
I didn't know that people thought of Jewish people as greedy. I know some Jewish people that are willing to share what they have and are very generous. Maybe it just depends on what situation people see them greedy in. For example if it comes to money everyone would be greedy about it because its hard earned money that you made yourself.
ReplyDeleteGrenadian
ReplyDelete- Loves Soca
- Loud
- Controlling both men and women
- Not faithful mostly the "men"
I didn't think unfaithfulness was something that could be attributed to an entire culture, I always felt that things like that just depended on the individuals themselves and it's just a coincidence that it happens to be people of the same ethnic group, so ultimately I think it's an unfair stereotype.
DeleteHaving been born in Jamaica, I am from a Caribbean background as well. Many of the stereotypes you listed are also commonly associated with Jamaicans. We are characterized as loud and very controlling as well. It is also said that you can't believe in the faithfulness of Jamaican men. It's very curious where those stereotypes in particular stemmed from.
DeleteAlbanian
ReplyDelete- Traditional
- Strict
- Drive Mercedes
- Inner group relations
I didn't know that there was a stereotype towards Albanians and driving Mercedes. I did not realize how something so simple as driving a certain car can be considered a stereotype. This new understanding towards Albanians has caused me to be more sympathetic towards stereotypes of other ethnicities.
DeleteA person who is illiterate is someone who cannot read or write. For people to even make the stereotype that a group of people are illiterate is non-sense. I did not know that being illiterate was a stereotype for Jamaicans. This goes to show us all that we all unfortunately come up with the craziest stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteDominican
ReplyDelete- dark skin
- loud
- loves baseball
- love plantains
I agree with Joy. The accent and weed smoking is a pretty common stereotype that's made, but I've never seen or heard of anyone associating illiteracy with Jamaicans. It's certainly a crazy stereotype to make.
ReplyDeleteEgyptian
ReplyDelete- love soccer
- self centered
- too traditional
I did not know much about Egyptian stereotypes and I wish there was more positive representation.
DeleteDespite the fact that we come from the same continent, i had no idea that we are similar.
DeleteI didn't know soccer was a known sport in Egypt. I find that very interesting. Its a great sport. I know tennis and golf are also very much played there as well, as far as I know.
DeleteSalvadorian
ReplyDelete*gang members
*government freeloaders
*many children
I didn't know much about Salvadorian stereotypes so it was interesting to read all these. What caught my attention was the fact that they have many children, I guess I never really thought about it.
DeleteAfrican
ReplyDelete*traditional and Cultural
*Strict
*Different dialects
*hungry for power
I never knew about these African stereotypes, I've never really gotten to know the African culture to know its stereotypes. Very interesting. Its crazy how every culture is different and perceived differently.
DeleteIsraeli
ReplyDelete-loud
-rude
-laid back
Michal,
DeleteI am intrigued by the different stereo types you listed. You stated "laid back and rude." This is very different than what I wrote for Italians. Italians are "known" to be obnoxious and dramatic. I come from a very small town in Maryland, so when I first moved to Brooklyn for school it was a culture shock to see a Israeli community. I am glad I was able to come to a place of such diversity and I am eager to learn more this semester!
I have been to Israel before and I found the people their to be very driven when it comes to their businesses. I don't see how they were laid back.
DeleteGerman
ReplyDelete-Unfriendly
-Extremely punctual
-Love of rules
-Love to drink beer
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ReplyDeleteItalian:
ReplyDelete+hand gestures
+loud
+food oriented
Italian:
ReplyDelete• Loud
• Lazy
• Large families
• Emotionally driven
Caribbean:
ReplyDelete-Strict
-Hardworking
-Can cook
-Unfriendly
Wow, I never knew that being greedy was a Jewish stereotype. I always viewed Jewish people as being very hard working so there would be no need to be greedy. As Annie said I guess it could possibly be due to not wanting to share their hard earned money which is understandable.
ReplyDeletePalestinian
ReplyDelete- stubborn
- very big families (“everyones related somehow”)
- loud
- Hardworking
- very protective of loved ones
Ukrainian:
ReplyDelete-love drinking
-patriotic
-Traditional
I also agree with Joy about the stereotype that Jamaicans are illiterate. It's so disheartening to hear. Stereotypes can be so hurtful, I did not know that stereotype even existed. Unfortunately, I've heard of the other stereotypes.
ReplyDelete