Do stereotypes really mean anything?

Question

I mean we have the term "Jew them down", because of Jewish business practices. We have the term "Jewish lightning", because Jews have been known to commit arson for insurance. We have the term "*****" which only means Black in Spanish, because Spain was first to use Black slaves and Black in Spanish is *****. Then we have the term "wetbacks", because the Mexicans crossed the Rio Grande to come to America. It seems like stereotyping was over a long period of time and it might mean something. Just like if the Rio Grande were to dry up we would have to call the Mexicans " Dustybutts".

Answer 1

They are bright examples of the ignorance people still carrying around in their souls.

Answer 2

Only to the people who don't know the truth!

There is a difference between a stereotype and a racial slur and a reason for the name.

For example:
A wet back was called a wet back not because of the person being Mexican.

It would have been any nationality that just swam across the river from Mexico to the USA. The police and border patrol would look for people wearing wet clothing and then go ask them for ID. Hence the saying "theres a wet back"

The people used that descriptive statement to become a derogatory term. Not even a stereotype. It is just not something that is taken kindly.

Again the term "*****" was not a stereotype but a descriptive term just as many African Americans still prefer the use of the word Black. Such as Black entertainment Television. "BET"

A true stereotype would be like this.
Bikers are all mean and bad people.
Which we know is definately not the case! If you have ever seen the "toys for tots" ride you would totally understand that. Mean and bad people would not do that for kids.

Answer 3

I believe that everyword has an starting place...however the use, and the terms of the work can change over time....there is really more to the word wetbacks now than the original meaning......just like the ways that we picture jews, or blacks or anything else. There will be terms that are used to describe people that at one time, may have been nothing more than a thought about where they come from, but now it has a whole different meaning.

Answer 4

Stereotypes exist because they are true. They are only considered a problem when they are against anyone but a white person. It's funny for some black guy to say "oh your white, you can't dance". Though if I said "oh, your black, where are your 57 kids and welfare check". That would be a problem.

Answer 5

Yes, appearence and living habits.

Answer 6

these aren't stereotypes, they are slurs. these slurs are often the result of bigotry, which can lead to stereotypes, which lead to discrimation. they are related terms, but not the same.