Why are Blacks stereotyped as being ghetto, lazy, thiefs, etc....?

Question

I think that all races in this world should not be categorized and stereotyped because we all are not perfect.

Answer 1

Many different types of people are stereotyped..the rich, the obese, races, nationalities, different religions, etc.

If we belong to a particular group, we are more aware of that particular group being stereotyped..

Many people have a tendency to generalize. It takes constant viligence to remember people are individuals and do not always follow the stereotypes they are saddled with.

I think a lot of times there are definitely people in the group that is being stereotyped that do fit the stereotype, or perhaps someone had personal experiences that they then transfer to a whole group of people.

Although I am not black, I have been stereotyped for being overweight, smart, and poor. I usually try to assert right away that I do not fall into the stereotyped viewpoint by not following it..by making sure to demonstrate that I am the opposite of what is said if I am. Still I know that it is difficult to change things like that even if it is wrong, so sometimes one has to try to ignore it.

I certainly agree that we are not all perfect and I am sorry if someone has hurt you by generalizing untrue things unto you.

All we can do in that case is be the best person we can be, pray about it, try to not stereotype people ourselves, and try to forgive so as to not poison our own life and harm our own health with anger and bitterness.

Answer 2

First, the categorization thing is just nuts, and how do you deal witht the people with inter-racial heritage? Stereotypes already exist. There is no need to excerbate them.

As for why blacks stereotyped, here are my thoughts:
Blacks being stereotyped as second class citizens is because there is some truths to it. Stereotypes don't come out of nowhere. There are always examples that affirm stereotypes, which is why they continue to exist. As I see it, Blacks' biggest problem is their view toward themselves and sometimes give in to the stereotypes.

Blacks' ancestors were slaves, and true second class citizens, psychologically, socially and legally. Legal questions have been resolved. Social barriers are coming down as well. As for the psychology, that's another story. Blacks tend to concentrate in ghettos. When a few blacks do succeed, they rarely go back to ghetto and try to improve their old neighborhoods, and the problem of ghetto blakcs persists. With urban development not being a big issue, ghetto blacks have more bleak years ahead.

As for the general psychological mood of the blacks, there are a few blacks that believe in themselves and succeed like Condi Rice and Colin Powell. Yet, great majority of blacks have this barrier that they are just not quite as good as other races so why bother.

Studies were done that when blacks students were given regular tests to take, they generally do as well as their peers in other races. However, when the black students were told the tests are test of apitude, which would affect rest of their lives. Black students would do worse than students from other races. Even thought the test given to the second group is exactly the same as the one give to the first group. If that 's not psychological barrier, I don't know what it is.

Blacks being slaves were once the greatest sin of America, but it has passed. Blacks need to redefine their heritage and become more active contributors to the rest of the country.

XR

Answer 3

The question has been mostly answered but I would also like to add that blacks do or did propagate that stereotype. Currently, there aren't exactly any world famous black role models that young blacks can look up to expect mostly sports heroes and rappers. This is merely a hypothesis, but perhaps a good number of blacks don't see the act of sitting down with a book as a very masculine thing to do and their only method of getting attention is through sports or the "gangsta" life.

However, I have doubt in that hypothesis as the number of people who read is declining.

Answer 4

By ignorant slobs.

The real issue of course is manner of speech and dress and even more importantly, education, class, social grace.

One of my son's best friends is a Nigerian who went to school and university in Britain and speaks with an Oxford-type accent. The minute he gets off the plane in New York, every girl, black or white, is after him. He has style -- of the most elegant kind, independent of race.

Answer 5

The reality is that stereotypes are created FOR A REASON. That reason being that the majority of people in any given race do the same or similar things. They fall in these categories. Can't do anything about it really.

Answer 6

I don't know if that's necessarily true anymore; I think if you look at any group that has been economically marginalized you are going to see crime and a lower standard of living....regardless of their race. In this country, there still isn't equal access to a lot of things, so somebody gets shortchanged. It's not blacks that are ghetto, it's the ghetto that's ghetto.

Answer 7

Hi There

In fact race has no meaning in the world. Everyone is created by God with equal rights, respects and personality. The racists are Fascists. Blacks and whites all are the same.

Answer 8

Maybe because rap music emphasizes the "goodness" of being ghetto. Rap music brags about stealing and unleashing violence on an enemy, and how rewarding it is to live in the fastlane. Most other races try to hide thier dirty laundry....

Answer 9

Yeah,I'm agree with you!
I have no stereotyped about Blacks at all , but some people are very cruel and not just to Blacks,don't listen them and be yourself,keep on funkin!See ya!;)

Answer 10

Because the Black Entertainment Community portrays the people that way. Most Americans have never seen a "Ghetto".They believe what TV and Motion Pictures tell them.