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For the most part acknowledging a stereotype does not perpetuate it. Paul Kevil talked about people in a culture of power being oblivious to racism and stereotypes. Because the people in a culture of power being oblivious, acknowledgement is the first and hard step to begin to overcome the stereotypes and racism. In American Born Chinese there are various stereotypes and racist remarks and pictures. One extreme example would be cousin Chin-Kee. In this case without acknowledging the blatant stereotypes in this character we would be perpetuating the stereotypes. While I do think it is acceptable to laugh at this character, it must be accompanied by analytical thinking. Chin-Kee is not a random character, but a representation of the stereotypes of Chinese culture in America. Therefore, acknowledging these stereotypes is necessary to begin breaking them down.
-Max F
Hannah
“Ok. So there is this guy from Maghrebi.” The French words flowed easily from the grinning lips of my Parisian teacher, Pauline, as she referred to a large population of Muslims that immigrated to France. “And, he begs at the metro stations. Every day he makes about 600 Euros, while his friend Amad, also a beggar, earns three. One day Amad asks the rich Maghrébin : ‘How is it that you make so much money ?’ His friend replies: ‘I make a sign.’ Amad explains that he, too, makes a sign that reads: I have a wife and kids. They starve. Please help me. The richer man laughs and says ‘My sign says: 100 Euros will send me back to Africa.’”
When Pauline told this joke, the rest of my class exploded in laughter, while my Blake education cautioned me to remain silent. I believed that our lesson in French racism should not have opened with derogatory terms or amusement. My open attitude towards a race-oriented discussion did not extend to mirth at the expense of others. Noticing the uneasiness that clouded my face, Pauline began to explain. “Anna! If everyone worries about race, nothing will ever change. However, if we can acknowledge it and laugh at our differences, race will be no big deal.”
I disagree with the implications of her statement because in the presence of an imbalance of power between the French and the Maghrebins, a mere joke works to further push these individuals into the margins of society. These stereotypes blend with every culture of power until they melt into a skewed version of reality. Although I do not agree with all of her opinions, Pauline did teach me that by avoiding stereotypes, our society cannot flush them out. Instead of utilizing that joke to invite laughter, we can use it to expose those in power to the injustices faced by the minority group. By analyzing the stereotypes in the joke above, we can perceive the hatred that radiates from the words and deconstruct it. If we ignore stereotypes, they will perpetuate and continue to circulate through our society as silent shadows of ignorance. However, by acknowledging others’ experiences through the destruction of stereotypes, we can encourage a more open atmosphere and a more equal world.
Acknowledging a stereotype does not perpetuate it. In the book there are many stereotypes such as Chin-kee’s appearance and the Chinese take out bags. Also the teachers always assuming the new Chinese students were from China when really Jin is from San Francisco. By acknowledging these stereotypes we do not perpetuate them because we know they are not true. It would be like assuming that all white men are racist when really not all men are racist. These stereotypes in the book make me uncomfterble at times because I can’t believe at what he is trying to get at. But these stereotypes have made me think about what stereotypes I have and I have tried to eliminate them. By acknowledging a stereotype it does not perpetuate but the stereotype can help us get rid off our own stereotypes we have of certain people.
-Owen Duncan
I think that acknowledging a stereotype does, indeed, perpetuate it. Stereotypes play a role in our society today, be it a joke or an assumption about a certain individual. The jokes that are created about a certain group of people will spread to others, and soon you have a whole bunch of people using the term to either make fun of the said group, or just joke around. People who made the stereotype don’t understand that it does hurt people. A little article, which I found should show how stereotypes are sustained after being acknowledged. “Women and minorities are often excluded from high echelon positions in the business world.” (From Stereotypes and prejudices). This stereotype has been around for a while, I brought it up to prove that accepting a stereotype, does in fact, maintain it.
Ryan Liengswangwong
I think that acknowledging a stereotype does perpetuate it. A stereotype is something that is looked at a different way than what the truth about it actually is. If you bring up a stereotype the stereotype is still there, but maybe you’re just approaching the view in a different way. If you’re trying to approach the view of the stereotype and contradict it, that doesn’t always work. Basically it brings up the stereotype and it doesn’t always go as planned. Instead of some people seeing it the way you’re trying to portray it and contradict it, people view it as what the main stereotype is.
I can see how people might think they’re helping people become less stereotypical about things, but then again, it still brings up the fact that the stereotype is there. But really, is there any other way to contradict a stereotype without bringing it up? I think that it’s a nice try to prove something different from a stereotype, but in the end the majority still believes it.
Emma Peterson
Does acknowledging a stereotype perpetuate it?
I think as long as we talk about stereotypes, it means it is still present in the world. Although I don’t believe acknowledging it perpetuates it, it shows that stereotype is not extinct from our culture. There are also different ways of acknowledging a stereotype. If we carelessly talk about a certain subject, people who are not part of that stereotype might talk about the issue as if it is not so bad, and could denounce the stereotype as not being harmful or ignorant. This type of acknowledgement, although it may not mean that person agrees with the stereotype, it would imply the use of that stereotype, and could offend certain people.
Michael Meline
James
Yes, because that is the root of stereotypes. If we validate their existence, we are saying yes, I think that people do act in that way and it is just and acceptable for others to think that way of others. By acknowledging a stereotype, we are saying that the target(s) of that stereotype do in fact act in the manner the stereotype suggests. This process is stereotyping.
Spencer
I think that acknowledging a stereotype does perpetuate it. I think Stereotypes come from different societies and different people around the world. If a stereotype is acknowledged frequently I think that it will spread and then the stereotype becomes imbedded in society and soon becomes the general opinion of the population. If Stereotypes were not acknowledged for a while I think overtime they would go away. However, I think the culture of power would come up with a new stereotype and people would then believe that, similar to a popular trend. There can be good acknowledgment of stereotypes that speak out to dissolve them but these messages are still broadcasting the stereotype and perpetuating it.
Depending on precisely how it is done, acknowledging a stereotype can certainly perpetuate it, regardless of the intentions of those acknowledging it. If someone never knew the stereotype existed, someone else telling them that it did would cause them to look at the world in a different way, as they would then unconsciously judge and categorize people based on that stereotype. Teenagers (relevant due to the ages of several of the characters in American Born Chinese, as well as the fact that we students are adolescents) generally struggle at taking things seriously, and at times talking about stereotypes will simply cause more jokes about them. This thus defeats the purpose of dialogue, as it further engrains the stereotype in people’s conscious and unconscious minds and causes the group the stereotype is about to feel highly uncomfortable.
However, acknowledging that stereotypes exist is an obligatory step one must take if one wishes to dispel the myths that stereotypes spread. Educating people about stereotypes before they have become too deeply engrained as commonly accurate is necessary to ensure that they will not classify people based on stereotypes, as they will eventually find out about stereotypes through media and other sources. Acknowledging the existence of stereotypes while dispelling them and putting people on their guard about them is quite important, as if that is not done, they will simply take in the stereotypes and fully perpetuate the cycle. This way, even if the stereotype is new to them and thus causes the aforementioned change, they will know that it is wrong to judge people based solely off of stereotypes, and presumably their role in the cycle would lessen and the next generation would have fewer – and weaker – stereotypes to battle against. Therefore, though to some degree acknowledging a stereotype can perpetuate it, in the end acknowledging it is arguably the only way to attempt to get rid of it. (Miel)
Jared-
I feel that perpetuating a stereotype is merely addressing something that’s already been claimed. If you use a stereotype to make a point, then you are doing exactly what is meant to be done with stereotypes. Stereotypes are used to describe a general common theme with a certain group. The stereotype may not apply to all the people of the group that is targeted, but by using a stereotype, you are supporting what it stands for. A stereotype can’t be correct though; because it vaguely addresses its’ target, and is thereby not fully true.
Acknowledging a stereotype does not perpetuate it. In fact, it does the exact opposite. Acknowledging a stereotype is the first step toward confronting and asking the questions that need to be asked; why is this stereotype here in the first place? Who creates these stereotypes? Most importantly perhaps, is the question of why do certain stereotypes make certain groups laugh, and others angry? All these questions can help one further their insight and cross the boundaries of race, gender, class, religion, and many other social problems.
In the context of acknowledging and making fun of stereotypes, it is an issue. If someone realizes there are stereotypes in motion, and they aren’t doing anything to break them down, then it is a problem. They may not be blatantly speaking or making fun of the stereotype, but not doing anything to stop it, or ask the questions of why, is just as bad as those creating it.
When I first read this question, my immediate response was that acknowledging a stereotype most certainly did not perpetuate it. After all, you can’t destroy a stereotype unless you’ve admitted that it exists and that it needs to be fixed. How can you fight a battle without knowing that you are fighting it? For example, on p. 30 in American Born Chinese, when Jin is introduced to his extremely ignorant class, none of them have even considered the fact that they are even the slightest bit racist. If someone pointed this out to them, they would probably defend themselves saying that of course they aren’t being racist and that these stereotypes don’t exist in their perfect school. Then, the next day you would see them making the same remarks.
No matter how hard I thought about this question, I couldn’t see the other side to this argument, so I asked my mom for some assistance. She pointed out that by telling a child that some people think that certain groups of people are BLANK, you plant that idea in their head. Even if you insist that this stereotype is not true and is a ridiculous assumption, their mind will start to turn over this conclusion in their head, trying to figure out why someone would believe this. The next time they see someone of this certain group, the first thing that will pop into their head is that some people think that this certain group of people are BLANK.
I thought about this for a while, and suddenly I thought of a time when this very thing happened to me. Over the summer, I went to see some family friends down in Iowa. While I was there, one of the women who had lived in Iowa all of their life said, “Yah know what Iowa stands for? Idiots Out Wandering Around!!!” I blushed and started laughing in response giggling, “WHAT???” She goes, “Oh, you’ve never heard that before?” I shook my head and she laughed with a shrug, and then proceeded to tell me what the rest of the United States thought of Iowa. I remember thinking to myself, that is ridiculous? Why would anyone think that? Just because they live in Iowa doesn’t mean their stupid, after all, everyone I’ve met here are super smart and nice. I returned back to Minnesota and suddenly became a lot more aware of Iowa jokes tossed around me. I only rolled my eyes in response to these ignorant people and went on with my life. Then I was invited to this conference on diversity in Iowa and people started walking up to me saying, “What is diverse about Iowa???” Then the next day, I found myself saying, “Yeah I’m going to a diversity conference in IOWA,” like, can you believe how ridiculous that is??? A few hours later I started to tell people what this one woman in Iowa told me Iowa stood for. Although I didn’t think that this stereotype was true, I was still cracking jokes about it and unconsciously planting the idea into other’s heads that people from Iowa are stupid and repeating the cycle that I just went to.
Helen Sprainer
By acknowledging stereotypes I think the main goal is to try to abolish them. But sometimes when we mention stereotypes it can make it seem like it is okay to use them because they seem true. As proved by American Born Chinese the use of stereotypes is sometimes exploited in order to be funny. By reading this book with all the stereotypes I realized that seeing them in text seems a lot harsher than when people say them. I hope this was a point the author was trying to prove because it made me think about how offensive they are and seeing them in text gives you a chance to digest them and their meanings. Acknowledging stereotypes can be a good thing if it is in the right context. If someone is flat out saying that some of these stereotypes are rude and offensive then it is a good thing. But I feel like this book may be overusing these stereotypes without balancing them out with lessons about how they can insult the subjects of the jokes. This book is doing a good job of cleverly sneaking in how the stereotypes are received by the monkey king, but Chin-Kee doesn’t seem to notice them at all because he pretty much is an offensive stereotype within himself so there is no one to say its not okay to use those kinds of generalizations. If we never talked about stereotypes there wouldn’t be any, because they are a form of spoken language. Whether we are promoting them or not we are acknowledging them. -Cathryn
I do think that acknowledging a stereotype perpetuates it because if you look back in history, the majorities are what made the stereotypes. If people didn’t acknowledge stereotypes, they would not exist, because the thoughts wouldn’t cross people’s minds, and be said to the world. If it is said, people begin to think about it, and it is always in their mind: There is no taking back the stereotype. For example, the stereotype that boys are stronger/more athletic than girls is a stereotype that was thought of long ago. Girls didn’t used to play sports, or if they did, they didn’t play many. So, based on that circumstance, it was true back when girls didn’t play sports. But now, the circumstances have changed and girls have been given more opportunities, so that stereotype can be contradicted. It cannot be erased, though, because it has been around for so long, the older generations pass it on to their kids, so it is always going to be there.
If that stereotype had never been brought up, then girls would not be seen as so weak, frail, and as inferior to boys. Girls could prove themselves, not the stereotype. This example applies to all stereotypes, because they involve the superior and inferior parties.
---Katie Wheeler
Evalina Bond
It’s silly to think that acknowledging a stereotype doesn’t further make it an ignorant or many times an offensive comment. By repeating a stereotype it just makes that stereotype become more like a “common fact” to the ignorant people that hear it. Mentioning it simply re-enforces the idea that it is correct or normal to assume that the stereotype is accurate.
However, many stereotypes can be true among the majority of that specific group, and therefore just by refusing to acknowledge it will not make it retreat from our minds. For an instance where that is the case it might not even be consciously known that is it a stereotype and again could turn into a subconscious assumption.
I do not think that acknowledging a stereotype perpetuates it, in some ways I think it may even do the opposite depending on what the persons opinions are on stereotypes. There will always be people in the world who are not willing to accept the fact that stereotyping is wrong and they will forever judge people according to stereotypes. Acknowledging stereotypes is simply seeing that people generalize, but enforcing those stereotypes and basing people off of the groups which they identify with, that’s where you go wrong.
There are many ways to acknowledge stereotyping, one would be an article similar to the one we read on The Culture Of Power where it would formally point out how stereotyping people is wrong. Another way of acknowledging it is like in our book “American Born Chinese” where it is not made obvious that stereotyping is something to be looked down upon and leaves room for interpretation; some may find it funny and some may find it shocking to see that much stereotyping be going on in one book.
Kelsey M.
Brian Reichert
Acknowledging stereotypes does not necessarily perpetuate them. Stereotypes, as I understand them, are subconscious images that come to mind in association with some subset of people. They seem to exist just beneath the water's surface, undercurrents subtly guiding the movements of the ships above. Being a process subconscious categorizations, stereotyping can really only be addressed with conscious acknowledgment and reflection. Acknowledging stereotypes transforms them from ghosts to real, tangible objects. Objects that are real can be seen by everyone for what they are. Real objects can be felt be everyone. Real objects can be combatted by everyone. Often, it seems, the only people who can really be effective against stereotypes are those who hold them. A person who is categorized by a stereotype would probably be aware of it, and he or she might even deliberately act in a way that is opposite that stereotype. However, the person causing this deliberate response by stereotyping is really the only person who can, in the end, stop the stereotyping. The person needs to be shown what is in their subconscious so that the person may bring it to consciousness and attempt to stop themselves from continuing to expect the stereotype.
The problem with all of this is the difficulty of identifying things engrained into one's self conscious because, by definition, they are often invisible. However, if people really step out of their skins and really look at themselves, they might be able to see their stereotypical thoughts. As people generally don't wish to be judgmental, I believe that people would consciously try to stop their stereotypical thoughts. This can, of course, lead to a very obvious over-correction, but over-correction is the lesser of two evils.
Acknowledging a stereotype doesn’t mean that you are perpetuating it. Generally acknowledging a stereotype means that you are accepting that people believe in this stereotype and that this certain type of stereotype exists, even if in your mind you don’t believe in it. Acknowledging a stereotype allows you to deal with the issue of the stereotype existing and dealing with it. Getting informed is the first step toward dealing with a problem.
Acknowledging that something like a stereotype exists is different from learning that it exists. At the point of acknowledging a stereotype as existing, you believe that the stereotype exists, but it has been embraced in some people’s minds and but not yours, so you are closest to removing it from your mind. When someone learns of a stereotype, they have no previous conflict of the stereotype. Before the moment that a person learns of a stereotype, the stereotype doesn’t exist in their brain and does not restrict their beliefs in anyway like in the case of a baby. Once the stereotype has been learned, all the person can do to reject it, is to accept that it exists and treat it as something that must be overcome.
-Shoubhik Sinha
I do not think that acknowledging a stereotype necessarily perpetuates it. In some cases it does though. Some people feel that if they align themselves with a stated or commonly accepted stereotype, it will make them a stronger member of their cultural community. This further legitimizes the stereotype in the minds of those outside the group, thus perpetuating it.
However, it essential to recognize that in order to begin to break down a stereotype, one must acknowledge the fact that a stereotype is present. Once they have done so, they can deconstruct its main components and figure out how they can help reduce if not eradicate the stereotype altogether. Some stereotypes don’t have to be negative, but they are always going to be wrong when applied to many individual in a certain group of people, whether it be a racial, gender, or sexual orientation based stereotype, it will not always be true for every member of that group or even a majority of that group. The only way to diffuse stereotypes is to acknowledge them and to begin to have conversations with members of other cultural groups about stereotypes and their legitimacy and effects upon those who are being stereotyped. The only way to completely bridge the gap is to immerse ourselves in each others’ cultures and have them meld together, or exist closely side by side.
John Irwin Blake, esq.
When a stereotype is acknowledged, it is NOT perpetuated. There are a bunch of different stereotypes out there today, which individually target a race, gender, religion, etc. In the book there was a repeated situation where the teacher realized the new students were asian and they assumed that they both moved from China, but in reality, Jin was from San Francisco and Wei was from Taiwan. The teachers also purposely get their names wrong and don’t care when Jin and Wei attempt to correct them. These situations made me wonder why the teachers don’t care about getting the names wrong and guessing that they moved from China, especially after being corrected. In many places or within most communities, when one person uses or acknowledges a stereotype, the rest of the community will generally follow or begin using the stereotype. Sometimes, these stereotypes are created to be funny and not to be offensive, but as the stereotype spreads to new people, it doesn’t have the humor that it once did, becoming offensive. Stereotypes can be stopped not perpetuated. –Jack DeVries
I guess one could say that a stereotype is fulfilled through acknowledgement... The fact that we know it is there in itself is enough to show how skewered society is today. Really, acknowledgement is in the middle of a spectrum. If a person treats these stereotypes with a sense of indifference or thinks they're funny and nothing else, then this being on the "no" side of things. Saying that it is wrong would be on the "yes" side of things. Everyone is subconsciously willing to submit to these stereo whether they like it or not. The real journey is becoming fully aware of the fact that these stereotypes are wrong.
- From Inder.
Acknowledging a stereotype with out doing anything about it is just as bad starting the stereotype or bringing it up in regular conversation. If someone does not know about a stereotype then they are excused from stopping it unless it is blatantly racist. But someone realizes a stereotype and does nothing about it when it is mentioned in conversation, then that stereotype continues to live on because the perpetrator of the stereotype thinks that its acceptable to continue to use those stereotypes in everyday life and it further divides our culture.
On the other hand it is necessary to acknowledge stereotypes because if people talk about the stereotype for what it is, then the issue can be addressed and ended. There will always be stereotypes because it is human nature to classify people according all of their various traits, in that train of thought, it is impossible to eliminate all stereotypes but they can be greatly reduced from where they are right now.
-Tom
Fitz
Does acknowledging a stereotype perpetuate it? Yes and no. It most definitely can, but it depends on the company that you are acknowledging it to. For example, if it is brought up in the presence of open-minded and non-prejudice peoples it may just be a conversation about a ridiculous idea. However, in the wrong company such as people who both acknowledge and accept stereotypes as the truth, it could be a major problem. Not only would you prove that you knew about it, but you would also imply that you agreed with it, unless otherwise stated. But there is definitely a fine line to examine when considering this topic.
I don’t necessarily believe there is a right answer to this question. It is a very deep question with many angles to consider, however, the simple act of recognizing a prejudice exists is not enough to encourage it, unless one states they believe it is true.
In my mind, if you acknowledge a stereotype, you not only are perpetuating it, but you are flat out wrong. According to dictionary.com, Acknowledge means [to accept or admit the existence or truth of:] Stereotypes are built from people acknowledging them. That is the only way stereotypes can thrive, if people acknowledge them. Stereotypes are not true. I hate listing stereotypes, so I will stick to ones that apply to me. I am Jewish. Do i have a big nose? Possibly. Does that mean all Jews do? Of course not, but it is a stereotype. Why? Because people acknowledged and spread an assumption or partially incorrect observation that Jews have big noses. I am Jewish. Does that mean I pinch pennies and money means everything to me? Hell no. Yet it is a stereotype that is out there. We just read last year in World Lit, Merchant of Venice, where the antagonist Shylock is a money-loving, penny-pinching Jew. It is things like Merchant of Venice that create stereotypes, whether people say them blatantly out loud, or just consider the incorrect assumptions in their heads. Although we may not realize it, stereotypes are only possible if a large number of people adopt a simplified, incorrect, view of a large group of people. The only way a stereotype can grow is if people acknowledge it, so yes, if people acknowledge stereotypes, they will perpetuate and grow.
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