Power of Stereotypes
As we discussed in class tonight, stereotypes are dangerous because they can only tell an incomplete story of an individual or group. Using stereotypes in a malicious manner is one way for the dominant culture to subordinate other cultures. Racial slurs are probably the most recognizable way stereotypes are used maliciously, and many people will try to play it off as a joke when questioned about their intentions. It seems like racial slurs are being called out and corrected in media more often these days, which is definitely a step in the right direction.
Jeremy Lin is a basketball player who has been the target of stereotyping and racial slurs just within this past week. As Jennifer mentioned, Ben & Jerry’s named an ice cream after him which included pieces of fortune cookies, and then apologized and changed the cookies to waffle cone pieces when public complaints became too numerous to ignore (Boren, 2012). ESPN is also guilty of targeting Lin with a racial slur, whether or not it was intentional. After a game loss, headline writer Anthony Frederico included the phrase “chink in the armor” in the title (Chandra, 2012, para. 1). Though he maintains it was unintentional, Frederico was fired and the on-air personalities who read the headline were reprimanded for doing so.
Rush Limbaugh is another media personality who has often been reprimanded for various racial slurs. In 2011, he referred to a new Oreo cookie with both white and chocolate cream filling as the “Or-bam-eo” (Gregory, 2011, para. 1). In the same article, it goes on to prove Limbaugh knew what he was saying was a racial slur because he had used the same type of slur (Oreo) when talking about Michael Steele’s run for lieutenant governor of Maryland back in 2005. Earlier this year, Limbaugh referred to former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine’s hair as an “Italian grease ball,” which ignited the fury of the Italian American One Voice Coalition (Celock, 2012, para. 2).
While I do not know what these individuals were thinking when they made these comments, it is common for people to try to brush off what they said or attribute it to humor and expect the offended party to get over it. Chandra maintains that not only are racial slurs, specifically, a way to exert dominance, but stereotypes and humor are generally also used as tools of domination (2012). Adichie made the comment that the problem with stereotypes is that they are an incomplete picture, but I disagree. I think the problem with stereotypes is the way they are used to put people down. I am encouraged to see the media refusing to perpetuate stereotypes and allow racial slurs to go unchecked.
References
Boren, C. (2012). Jeremy Lin gets apology from Ben and Jerry’s, prepares for Cavaliers matchup. Washington Post Online. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/jeremy-lin-gets-apology-from-ben-and-jerrys-prepares-for-cavaliers-matchup/2012/02/28/gIQAqo2qgR_story.html
Celock, J. (2012). Rush Limbaugh on-air slur leaves Italian-American group seeking formal apology. Huffington Post Online. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/rush-limbaugh-jon-corzine-italian-americans_n_1228224.html
Chandra, R. (2012). There are only links in our armor! Psychology Today Online. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-pacific-heart/201202/there-are-only-links-in-our-armor
Gregory, T. (2011). Rush Limbaugh’s “Or-bam-eo” slur. Media Matters Online. http://mediamatters.org/blog/201108170021
I love your point about the media. I think it is interesting that Adichie that this was not a bigger part of her lecture. When I was talking with my students about this issue I wondered how much of it I should actually mention. But then, I realized it would be irresponsible for me to not present anything but the entire story. You have done an excellent job of writing about it here. I did have my students do research on the timeline and look at Jeremy Lin's reaction to the situation. I also had them look at the reaction in the press. It was a great lesson in rhetoric! I agree with both you and Adichie- I think there is danger in one story and danger in the way the press uses them. I think part of the problem is in using only one story.
ReplyDelete