The complexity of cross-cultural interaction demonstrates a trend of both explicit and implicit stereotypes. In some cases, individuals might not be aware that they are treating others based on a stereotype. Among the minority groups in the United States, African Americans continue to experience stereotypes. They are presented or depicted in a manner that is inconsistent with who they are or what their culture is about. The misguided identities that others form about African Americans originate from a shallow perception and understanding of the target population’s culture. Therefore, a discussion of how various types of media, newspaper, television, internet, movies and magazines is warranted.
Following a thorough review of information presented in the various media sources cited, it was evident that African Americans are subject to stereotypes. One of them is that they are largely inclined to violence regardless of whether one is male or female. However, such representation is not accurate. Samovar, Porter and McDaniel (2013) explained that stereotypes originate from a community’s past experience with racial identity. For African Americans, slavery played a major role in shaping how they are perceived in the modern-day. For instance, in movies, black women are presented as being highly likely to react to an adverse situation with force. On the other hand, one of the cases observed involves a black man who was babysitting two white children and immediately after seeing that, she called the police on him (Jones, 2018). The issue here is that the white woman, as is the case in the movies, perceived the black man as a potential kidnapper hence her decision to call the police. However, black women are vulnerable and have soft or feminine characteristics as is the case with other women. For the males, the case of the black man babysitting shows that they are not inclined to violence and are culturally sensitive.
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In most cases, blacks have been associated with an internet stereotype called netgeeks. According to The New Daily (2016), netgeeks are passionate and obsessive about technology. They do not have any physical strength, are uninterested in sex, and socially isolated. Such kind of representation is inconsistent with black men who are information technology experts. Apart from that, the netgeeks play subordinate roles as they help white individuals, in movies, to face adversity (Nittle, 2019). Such kind of presentation tends to confirm that in some cases, black men are physically weak and socially isolated. However, there is no accuracy in the stereotypes mentioned. In fact, Scott (2018) explained that Whites fear an intelligent black man which translates to one also fearing himself. The argument here is that being knowledgeable for a black man is considered something rare. The expectation is mostly that they ae likely to enroll to sports such as basketball or American football. However, Scott (2018) explained that such kind of representation was inaccurate as even in sports, a certain degree of smartness is needed to outwit the opponent. Cardon (2010) explained that stereotypes are mainly the outcome of Westernized philosophies which are not only unfounded but also weak. In some cases, stereotypes express the fears and vulnerabilities of the community promoting them.
Conclusion
Stereotypes are rampant in the mass media. They continue to persist despite clear evidence that they are largely baseless. Nevertheless, for the African American community, the goal is to rise above the stereotypes and demonstrate originality. Their behavior should not conform to what others think of them.
References
Cardon, P. W. (2010). Using Films to Learn About the Nature of Cross-Cultural Stereotypes in Intercultural Business Communication Courses. Business Communication Quarterly,73 (2), 150-165. doi:10.1177/1080569910365724
Jones, J., & Jones. (2018, December 31). Black Harassment Went Viral In 2018. Here's What It's Like To Be The Target. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/babysitting-while-black-harassment-corey-lewis_n_5c268187e4b0407e9082786c
Nittle, N. K. (2019, April 02). Persistent Racial Stereotypes in TV Shows and Movies. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/common-racial-stereotypes-in-movies-television-2834718
Samovar, L. A., Porter, R. E., & McDaniel, E. R. 2013 Communication between cultures. Cengage Learning.
The New Daily. (2016, February 14). The six silly stereotypes of internet users. Retrieved from https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/tech/2016/02/14/internet-user-stereotypes/
