Self study

Travel with English

Native Americans

The stratification and separation of groups, especially racial minorities, in the United States began in the nation’s earliest years of colonization. With the colonists’ first contact with the Native Americans, the stereotype of “the savage” was born. Native Americans were portrayed in popular media as wild, primitive, uncivilized, dangerous people who continuously attack white settlers, cowboys, stagecoaches and shout "Oowoowoowoowoo" while holding one hand in front of their mouths.

Black stereotypes

Early stereotypes:

The early Anglo-Saxon colonists brought these initial thoughts with them to the US. White colonists commonly believed that black people were inferior to white people. These thoughts helped to justify black slavery and the institution of many laws that continually condoned inhumane treatment and perpetuated to keep black people in a lower socioeconomic postion.

African black people were usually depicted as primitive, childlike, cannibalistic persons who live in tribes, carry spears, believe in witchcraft and worship their wizard. White colonists often trick them by selling junk in exchange for really valuable things and/or scare them with modern technology.

Modern black stereotypes:

Black people are also often depicted as rappers, criminals, poor people, prostitutes or sometimes simply to provide a storyline where they are depicted as victims of racism.

Arabic, North African and Middle Eastern stereotype

Since the 1970s and especially since the September 11, 2001 attacks the negative depiction of Arabic people as terrorists has increased throughout the world. In many Western countries they are seen as uneducated, aggressive, criminal, antisemitic, misogynistic and dangerous people who don't work but live on government funding, slaughter sheep in their kitchens, have many children and plot to take over the world.

White stereotypes

The social definition of "White" has changed over the years, and several White groups have at times been portrayed by the media as unintelligent. This includes ethnic groups such as the British, Irish, and Slavs.

English stereotypes

The English people are stereotyped as inordinately proper, prudish, phlegmatic, stiff, polite and sophisticated. In many countries, especially on the European continent, they are seen as incredibly awful cooks

White American stereotypes

Especially in European countries, Americans are stereotyped as brash, ignorant, self-important, unintelligent, decadent, prudish on sexual matters and obese. The image of the obese American could be due to perception of the American diet, such as the popularity and global spread of American fast food franchises such as McDonald's and Burger King, which has fueled America's obesity crisis

 

Comment

 

This issue was produced by Priscila and Emerson, edited and published by Flávio Martins

 

 

2008