What is wrong with stereotyping?

Question

If I were to say 'Most arabs are muslims' many would consider that poor judgement and stereotyping even though it is a statistical fact. When pointing out statistical facts, why are people so quick to jump on some 'racist' or 'stereotyping' bandwagon without looking at the true facts.

Answer 1

Racism does not mean exact phrases. It is about context first of all. Also which things are stressed to make a false impression using a true fact. One may say "I hate Blacks" in such a context that it will be a good joke, e.g. Afro-American among his friends. But also a linguistically neutral phrase may have a high portion of racism.

E.g. I saw a really racist article and was surprised that it is presented with such words as "nationalreviewonline" in a country, which wants to be called a fighter for human rights: "The Peril of Perfidious Translators, A Clintonian problem" by Jim Boulet Jr. (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/boulet200310080856.asp)

An exerpt:
"While not all Muslims are opposed to America's foreign policies, some are."

1) it talks about religion as a source of "to be opposed'
2) why to do not formulate: "not all Americans agree with America's foreign policies"? If to read the whole article, a question arises: Is it normal to call opposition automatically not being honest in democracy? Opposition is equalized to enemy, which may serve secretely for others.

Answer 2

When I think of stereotyping I think of Bose, Alpine and other electronic equipment. Which is going to give the sound for the buck and do the job I want it to.

When judging others that is a different story. How can I judge rightly when I don't have all the information. I have learned that looks and race are not the best thing to consider when make that kind of assessment. Those consideration can be misleading and cause me to miss out on something very real and worth while in meeting a person.

Do I make wrong judgment sometimes, yea, you bet but still I have to work hard at doing better. Only I can control that.

Answer 3

"What is wrong with stereotyping?" - In modern usage, a stereotype is a simplified mental picture of an individual or group of people who share certain characteristic (or stereotypical) qualities. The term is often used in a negative sense, and stereotypes are seen by many as undesirable beliefs which can be altered through education and/or familiarization.

Your statement "Most Arabs are Muslims" is not a stereotype if it is indeed true. The statement "All Arabs are Muslims" would be a stereotype since it is not true.

Answer 4

Stereotyping is you putting judgment to something that you only have an opinion about. When you say people are not looking at facts someone who is stereotyping is not. Stereotyping is being racist and passing judgment which no individual has that right. I understand everyone has a right to an opinion, but when you stereotype you are only saying what you think and it is probably not true and it is about someone religion race orgin or background or where they come from which you or anyone but them no anything about!

Answer 5

Stereotyping is by definition not factual, but an opinion. It is usually done to demean or disparage a particular group. Generalizing about a group to disparage them is hurtful and discriminatory.

If you're discussing facts, it's not stereotyping. For example, if you were to discuss the racial breakdown of the US population by %, those are facts. If you were to make some opinionated generalization from that, it would be stereotyping - like: "X% of Americans are [insert race here] - that's why this country is so [insert insult here]!"

Answer 6

Stereotyping is like instinct. And I think we do a a protective against the unknown. By putting something in a group you know what to expect. So for instance, it is the muslims that are usually bombing up ****. So when you see them you are sorta expecting that kind of thing. The problem is when you act on the stereotyping by doing and saying dumb ****

Answer 7

Ok, if you said "all arabs are muslims", then THAT would be stereotyping. If you're just stating facts, they need to get a grip and let you talk. Thats me on my soapbox. Now I'll get down. Later!

Answer 8

It's the intent behind what you are using the sterotype for. If you are using it to prejudge someone and mistreat them, then it is wrong. There are too many people who don't fit a sterotypical mold. So what ever assumptions you create about them makes you look like an idiot.

Answer 9

no kidding. People need to chill out. If I say a black stole my bike, I am the bad guy cause I pointed out that he was black. It is not wrong to say most Mexicans like tacos, look at all the taco stands in a heavily Mexican populated area.

Answer 10

It is very common to have the burning desire to lock someone in a group with others based on their, usually negative qualities. Very often, the stereotypes are dead wrong. Even more often, they are right on key. So who are we to judge?