Stereotype
The term, “stereotype,” is defined as the characterization of a person based on preconceived notions about their culture, behavior, appearance, or overall presentation. However, stereotypes are often not true representations of the people they are attempting to define. In other words, people create and rely on stereotypes to quickly group people and associate them with certain characteristics, rather than actually getting to know each and every individual person. For example, I am referred to as a “jap,” or jewish american prince based on where I grew up, went to school, the clothes I wear, and my religious affiliation. This phrase has changed in meaning over time, as someone that is looked upon as dignified to a name that people associate as having a negative interpretation. Over the years, there has been awareness of the lack of accuracy with these stereotypes, and the negative results they may come from their existence, resulting in the demise of using these classifications.
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