There is no doubt that all stereotypes are wrong despite how funny some of them are supposed to be. High or low exceptions of a gender, race, or sexuality is not fair. Everyone deserves a chance to express who they are before being labeled or defined by unnecessary rules and limitations. Although there are many stereotypes, here is a list of 8 involving gender and race. More lists of ridiculous stereotypes are soon to come.
1.) Black People Love Fried Chicken
This
stereotype never fails to make an appearance on TV Shows, movies and in standup
comedy. It’s pretty stupid to turn food against a whole race of people. African
Americans are not the only people who eat fried chicken, so why is it such a
big deal? The answer lies in a silent film created in 1915 called 'Birth of a
Nation' that celebrates the rising of the KKK. The film portrays African
Americans in a negative light by having actors play Black elected officials misbehaving in a legislative hall to show the dangers of letting People
of Color vote. During that scene, one official is intensely eating a piece of
chicken with his hands giving White Americans the impression that African
Americans act like animals, therefore, they should be treated like animals.
That one piece of chicken was turned into an offensive joke meant to make African
Americans feel dirty or improper. Although the origin of this stereotype is
dark, some African Americans today manage to find the humor in it since other
beliefs are more offensive. Also, stereotype or not, it is actually true. Since chicken was the cheapest and easiest
meat to access for slaves, it became the main food slaves dined on. Today only
50.4 percent of White Americans, 55.4 percent of Hispanics eat chicken compared
to the 77.9 percent of African Americans. That’s a large number but chicken is
delicious at the end of the day.
2.) Asian People Can't Drive
Drivers love to assume that an Asian is responsible whenever they get cut off. However, try to understand that when Asians immigrant to the U.S the roads here are very different than the roads in Asia. There is right hand traffic in America but in countries like China and Singapore there is left hand traffic which affects the way they see the road. Some Asians are not used to driving due to great train transportation like the one in Japan. In India, communication between cars is often done through using the horn instead of turn signals. There are also cows crossing the road. The point is, give Asians a break and remember just because you got in an accident with one Asian person, it doesn’t give you the right to generalize them.
3.) Pink=Girls Blue=Boys
Once upon a time in 1918, in a Ladies Home Journal article found by University of Maryland historian, Jo. B Paoletti, pink was recommended for boys because it was a strong color and blue was for girls since it represented being delicate. It also included what color would go better based on the eye color and hair color of the individual. Then unisex colors were more prominent due to the woman’s liberation movement in the 1960s. Fast forward to the ‘80s, pink became assigned to girls again and blue assigned to boys. This stereotype is partially true since today 29.1 percent of boys like the color blue but it is false for girls since 24.4 percent like the color blue as well with pink nowhere to be found. The rainbow has seven colors for a reason.
4.) "She's Angry, She Must Be on Her Period"
Fellas, if you want to break up with your girlfriend and don’t know how, use this line and you shall be single forever. Just kidding, using this line is an awful way to dismiss a woman’s feelings and it is immature. Hormones can affect mood but feelings don’t only emerge because of periods since women are humans who have emotions like men do. If that were the case, then women would be zombies for the 28 days they are off their period. Periods can be a sensitive subject for women since it is the most dreadful four days ever because of the cramps and the feeling of uncleanliness, they don’t need help feeling shitty. If a man heard, “He’s angry, must be his ejaculation disorder” then he wouldn’t be too happy. On lessons on how to be more sensitive, check out this Key and Peele video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihRHIGpyspA where the characters discuss understanding and respecting a woman when it's that time of the month. It's funny and educational.
5.) British People Have Bad Teeth
Groovy baby! For those who don’t know, that line comes from a movie called Austin Powers where Mike Myers plays a British spy with crooked teeth since Americans believe British teeth as horrible. Well, the National Health Service(NHS) in England that started in 1948, focused more on healthy teeth that would last rather than shiny teeth meant to please the eye which is what American dental care focuses on. Not saying British people don’t want to look good, it’s just some were fine with their teeth until media expectations and jokes lead to some changes. The NHS gives free orthodontics treatments to those under 18 years old who really need it. One million people started getting their teeth straightened in 2012. Whitening strips are also now accepted in the U.K. So leave the British alone America because this nation has bigger things to worry about.
6.) Most Hispanics Are Domestic Workers
Just because one see’s a Hispanic person with a leaf blower, it doesn’t mean they can’t move to another occupation. Twenty six percent of Hispanics are in the service industry but there are more than maids in that industry. There is also food preparation and health care protection within the service industry. Twenty one percent work in management while another 21 percent works in sales. Fifteen percent are in natural resources and construction. Lastly, 17 percent are in production and transportation. Don’t forget that many of Hispanics are in the entertainment industry. Have you heard of Gabriel Iglesias? He’s hilarious.
7.) If a Girl Has Short Hair, She's a Lesbian
8.) Guys Shouldn't Cry
It is a shame that some men live in a world where emotions solely belong to women. They get hit with statements like, “talk like a man” or “real men don’t cry.” The pressure to be masculine can be crippling to men. Those pushed back tears can turn into aggression and violence which is unhealthy for men as well as the people around them. It is better to see an emotional man shed tears than punch walls till they have bloody fists. #Men-cry-too 2017
