Stereotypes

On-line Documents

Arab Americans: People Like Us?
This article examines how the stereotypes that are widely presented in various forms of media misrepresent Arab Americans and foster misunderstanding.
Category: Stereotypes

Ban the Bandito! Madison Avenue Takes a More Sophisticated Approach to Latino Stereotypes
This excellent pdf. document from hispaniconline.com takes a careful look at the evolution of the major Hispanic American stereotypes, from the 'Thieving Rascal' to the 'Sexy Senorita.'
Author: Octavio Emilio Nuiry
Category: Stereotypes

Five Tragic Stereotypes
This article from Global Black News describes and addresses five common stereotypes associated with African Americans.
Author: Bakari Akil II
Category: Stereotypes

Native Americans: Stereotypes and Realities
This document is adapted from the book "American Indians: Stereotypes and Realities" and offers a brief glimpse at many of the myths surrounding Native American culture.
Category: Stereotypes

Notes on Anti Arab Racism
From the Arab American Institute Foundation, this two page pdf. document examines the harmful stereotypes and media portrayal of Arab Americans.
Author: Helen Hatab Samhan
Category: Stereotypes

Stereotypes & Prejudice
From an on-line lesson plan for middle school students, this document on "Stereotypes and Prejudice" is a good elementary-level introduction to a general history of stereotypes and how stereotypes lead to prejudice and discrimination.
Category: Stereotypes

Stereotypes and Symbolism: Images can Hurt
This essay focuses on the way our commercial images have perpetuated ethnic stereotypes. Describing the damaging impact of stereotypes, the author focuses how the image of "Chief" reduces Native Americans to a flat, rigid representation of Native American culture in the minds of many non-Native Americans.
Category: Stereotypes

Taco Bell and Latino Stereotypes
This article addresses the impact the 'Taco Bell' dog had on Latino stereotypes. The article was originally published on Latino USA, probes the implications of such depictions. At the end of the article, educators can find a lesson plan appropriate for grades 7-12.
Author: Maria Martin
Category: Stereotypes

The Big Eggroll: Asian American Stereotypes Still Dog Asian Americans
This short and accessible article written by an Asian American man describes his first hand experience and frustration with Asian American stereotypes.
Author: Harry Mok
Category: Stereotypes

Color Adjustment
Marlon Riggs brings his landmark study of prejudice and perception begun in Ethnic Notions into the Television Age. From Amos 'n Andy to The Cosby Show, Color Adjustment traces over forty years of race relations in America through the lens of prime time entertainment
Category: Stereotypes

Ethnic Notions
Ethnic Notions is an award-winning documentary that takes viewers on a disturbing journey through American history. It traces for the first time the evolution of several deeply rooted stereotypes that have fueled anti-black prejudice. Loyal Toms, carefree Sambos, faithful Mammies, grinning Coons, savage Brutes and wide-eyed Pickaninnies roll across the screen in cartoons, feature films, popular songs, advertisements, household artifacts, even children's rhymes. Narration by Esther Rolle and commentary by respected scholars shed light on the origins and devastating consequences of this 150-year-long parade of bigotry.
Category: Stereotypes

Asian Americans: An Analysis of Negative Asian American Stereotypes in the Media
Focusing primarily on box office movies, this site examines how gender, race and class stereotypes of Asian Americans give the impression of what Asian Americans are really like to other Americans as well as to Asian Americans themselves.
Category: Stereotypes

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia Online
Both an online exhibit and a real place, this museum does an outstanding job of exploring African American stereotypes, including the mammy, coon, pickaninny, the tom, the jezebel, and other such stereotypes through images. Well-written and insightful explanations examine the meaning and implications of these images. Scroll down the homepage to explore specific stereotypes individually. Both disturbing and important, this site is highly recommended if you would like to learn more about African American stereotypes in the media.
Category: Stereotypes

Share My World
Powerful examination of the stereotypes experienced by a young black male in Canada. This interactive and engaging website tells the moving true story of a black man that invited people to respond to his photograph.
Category: Stereotypes

The Authentic History Center: Native American Images - Stereotypes
Site has five pages of photographs of different objects that perpetuate Native American stereotypes; you can get a larger view by double clicking the photo. Some of the objects are blatantly racist, others subtly reinforce Eurocentric perceptions of the Native American. This site is especially useful if viewed after reading or learning about Native American stereotypes to assist in understanding the implications behind the images.
Category: Stereotypes

Young African Americans Against Media Stereotypes
Young African-Americans Against Media Stereotypes (YAAAMS) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to scrutinize media coverage for fairness and accuracy and to encourage a healthy skepticism about African-American media images.
Category: Stereotypes