Do you think stereotyping is rascist?

Question

For instance, if you say something about black people eating chicken all the time, people will tell you that it's rascist because they consider it negative. But if you say that mexicans have very good work ethic, rarely will you ever be considered rascist for paying them the compliment of being a good worker. I'm not saying either of these are true, but they are common stereotypes.

I working from the definition of racism being: Believing that one race is superior or more valuable than another.

Answer 1

Well, I've looked it up. ^^

I've used my favorite dictionary online and it came up with the following description of the word 'racist':
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability.

So, yes, stereotyping is racism.

You can call white men lazy and they'll feel offended, call them hardworking and they'll be pleased, but it is racism.

Hope my answer was useful to you.

Yours truly,

GrammarCtrl.

*edit*
Added the dictionary I used in case you want to check. ^^

Answer 2

Stereotyping often shows up in comedy, but that doesn't mean it's appropriate, considerate, or nice. I would be amazed to see a stereotype of caucasian people, I haven't seen anything like that. I do however, think that it is bordering on being rascist. There is some grey area there. It would probably depend upon what kind of stereotype you are talking about, how nasty, etc.

Answer 3

I don't believe stereotyping is, in and of itself, racist. That said, it certainly can be. There are generalities that can be ascribed to any group that, while quite possibly true for a majority, won't be true for each and every individual. If one notes that Mexican immigrants, whether legal or illegal, are hard workers that statement says more about the experience, observation and, possibly, motivations of the individual making the statement than it does about the group being commented on. Stereotypes, like the groups who are stereotyped, need to be considered individually. Some are racist, some are ill-informed (not necessarily racist), and some are used to influence the opinions of others.

Answer 4

No! Racism is disliking a race of people anywhere in the world not just where you are and it's sure not stereotyping because that has nothing at all to do with race.

The word Racist is used much to much my people who are limited on adjectives, can't use only more then one syllable word or want to shut someone down for any discussion they don't like or can defend.

But, ones that use the word to much they themselves are stupid people and they are of all race.

Answer 5

Yeah I see what you mean. There are positive sterotypes and negative sterotypes. The thing about sterotypes is 9 times out of 10 they aren't true. Black people eat more than chicken and not all mexicans have a good work ethic.. etc. Its best not to invest to much energy into sterotypes because you never know how people will react.

Answer 6

It is not rascist, but it borders rascism. Typically, generalizing about a group of people is not good (even though it might be partly true).

FOr example, growing up I always heard that jews are tightwads. As an adult, I have met several jews who actually were very generous and several who were tightwads. Statistically speaking that is possible in most populations. I think we just tend to look for those stereotypes in specific groups of people.

Are japanese brainiacs, americans lazy, asians hard-working, arabs incindiary, germans dry and boring, really?

Answer 7

Actually I had a friend from Nigeria. (Africa to those who failed Georgraphy.)

He told me a very traditional meal there is chicken. Don't remember whether he said fried. I believe he said he liked Plantain fried.

Some stereotypes are racist and some are not. Like most things, it depends. One does not have to be racist to offend somebody. In Canada, if you want to piss off a Quebecer, you innocently talk about the battle of the plains of abraham which they lost, even tho they won back and France just abandoned them.

The fried chicken thing? Being honest, its because of the historical connetations with slavery. I'm sure that quite a few blacks in the US do in fact, eat fried chicken, just not exclusively. They also eat pizza and lots of other stuff whites in the US do.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. Like you said, stereotypes arent always negative. I think they CAN be used in racist terms though, because the whole idea idea of stereotyping is a huge generalization. But there is little truth in all stereotypes, that is why they even exist.

Answer 9

if people are sensitive about common cultural characteristics that are usually negative then they call a stereotype. even if it's negative it can still be true.
so no I don't think stereotyping is racist unless the comment is used in a derogatory manner.

Answer 10

If a race does exactly the same thing in masses,it is hard for others to ignore it. Whether good or bad it is hard to not stereotype someone in that instance, race or not. Stereotyping is not always a racial issue.