How Stereotypes Affect Us - Assignment Example

How Stereotypes Affect Us
Introduction:
Claude M Steele in his book “Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues of Our Time)” argues, “ I didn’t know what being black meant, but I was getting the idea that it was a big deal.”(2) Notwithstanding the legal safeguards provided in the American Constitution for blacks and whites and the professed equality on all fronts, the fear psychology grips both the groups. White students are reluctant to take courses at educational institutions where students of color are in majority in them. The same is true of the black students, where whites are in majority.
The safety and equality of the blacks is still not unconditional. Steele writes, “They come from the way a society, at a given time, is organized around an identity like me. That organization reflects the place, as well as the ongoing individual and group competition for opportunity and the good life.”(3) An undeclared engagement is going on at every stage, in every segment of life of blacks and whites. Its emphasis and intensity may vary, nevertheless it is there, and it has not been erased from the social norms of the people of America. This position gives room for some to enjoy at the cost of suffering of others. Those others are mainly blacks. Defined and undefined activities related to ethnic segregation move together at the cost of the blacks.
Stereotype threat is real. Its impact is more in the educational institutions, the abode of combustible younger generation, both whites and blacks. They have the knowledge of American history, whose pages are daubed in the bloodshed of racism. Explaining through an example, the author elaborates the nature of fear psychosis born out of stereotype threat, by citing the experience of Brent Staples, a psychology graduate student walking down the streets of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. “I became an expert in the language of fear. Couples locked arms or reached for each other’s hand when they saw me. Some crossed to the other side of the street. People who were carrying on conversations went mute and stared straight ahead, as though avoiding my eyes would save them.”(6) By educating an individual, you are educating a generation. Therefore, educational institutions, where students of different ethnic groups, blacks and whites meet for a common purpose, are the right places to initiate the process of reconciliation. Steele also highlights the importance of role models and argues, “They dramatically reduced stereotype threats impairment of women’s math performance by reminding them just before the test, the positive women role models.”(94) Such public relations exercises will do a lot of good, turn them positive and winners and they will never quit or beat the retreat in any tough situations.
My own opinion about stereotype
Threats and fear related to stereotypes leaves a deep scar on the impressionable minds of the younger generation. Especially for the blacks good academic performance may give some confidence, but life beyond education involves lots of challenges related to stereotypes. Stress and anxiety in the inner world, will have comments on the day to day disposition of the affected persons in all the areas. Such individuals are likely to develop inferiority complex, though they may be brilliant amongst the brilliants in the academic field. Their aspirations are stifled and they will find it difficult to develop the positive trait of sense of belonging. They will feel discriminated, and when they appear for the test with a guilty conscience, the result will be under- performance. Stereotype phenomenon is the legacy of the past. History of atrocities against the blacks and their harsh experiences related to racism cannot be undone. But in the interest of the unity and integrity of the country student-to student mentoring and cross-racial interactions should be encouraged on an ongoing basis as they will help to mend the fences on a permanent basis. Not only tolerate, but to accept diversity as the core value is the permanent solution to the threat of stereotypes. Perfect discipline in the society is great; but the ability to carry on with the available discipline is also a commendable art.















Works Cited
Steele, Claude M. Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues
of Our Time). W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition, 2011. Read More