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Jacob Robins

Evais Horsford

ENGL 112

August 15, 2023

Stereotyping in America

Stereotyping has become a more commonly accepted kind of disrespect in

society as time goes on. From the way, certain groups may look in a particular type of

clothing to just their skin color or ethnicity, you can stereotype someone. This response

may benefit you keeping you out of danger sometimes. But not in all cases is

stereotyping an individual or group of people appropriate. In fact, it is more so rude and

offensive to assume something negative about them based on how they appear. In the

article “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space” by Brent Staples, he conveys his

experiences of being stereotyped for his clothing and skin. This incident is not only

subject to Staples but others of his complexion too. This event would leave an indent in

many lives of how some of them would portray and in some cases treat him. Causing

him to change his behavior at his own expense to make sure others felt comfortable.

Even more than that, another author shared their experience facing stereotypes as a

Latin American woman. “In The Myth of the Latin Woman: / Just Met a Girl Named

Maria” by Judith Ortiz Cofer she expresses her troubles being sexualized and facing the

perception that others thought she was less intelligent than. This would put her in

several uncomfortable positions that had her rethinking her cultural traditions that were

so different from that of the ones in America. Both authors have faced stereotypes that

have without a doubt altered their way of living. There are some similarities in some
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ways and differences in others due to their gender, race, ethnicity, and more that still

create a fine line of adversity both authors had to endure.

There are many ways to scare or threaten someone. But you wouldn't think

simply being a tall black man with his hands in his jacket would make your blood run

cold. Well unless that tall black man wearing a jacket lived in America. Brent Staples, an

African American writer, was that man in the hoodie. The same man who managed to

put fear in a young white woman's heart just by walking down the street. He states “She

cast back a worried glance- After a few more quick glimpses, she picked up her pace

and was soon running in earnest”(Staples 1). Without this woman knowing who Staples

is, she still decides to take off running. Granted she may have felt that she was in a

dangerous setting considering it was night. It was flagrant that she ran more so due to

his skin tone and clothing. Staples would more than likely describe himself as a young

grad student that in his words was “a softy who is scarcely able to take a knife to a raw

chicken–”(Staples 2). However, because he could not wear these facts on his chest his

image would say something else. Owing to his skin color, She undoubtedly assumed

that she had been the intended victim of some sort of robber, rapist, or worse. All of

these negative connotations being assigned to a young man simply from his

appearance is inexcusably unlawful. These are all damaging and defaming names to

have unjustly attached to you without reason or evidence. Though we the reader are

being given the point of view of how people react to Staples' presence, we are shown

how their view affects him emotionally. Staples notes that whistling “melodies from

Beethoven, Vivaldi, and the more popular classical composers are his equivalent of the

cowbell that hikers wear when they know they are in bear country”(Staples 12). This
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analogy highlights the similarities between him having to alert others that he is

intelligent and not violent because he joyfully whistles when he walks. This he should

not have to do for others to feel safe while walking down the street, but it is proven to be

the most palatable way for people to accept him as a human being.

In Judith Cofer's article, a different approach is taken when it comes to having a

certain narrative put upon a group of people. Cofer is a Latina who upholds her cultural

customs, and that is enough to cause her to deal with the stereotypes that the media

portrays about people of her ethnicity. She says that certain preconceived notions, such

as that of the Hispanic woman being referred to as a "Hot Tamale" or sexual firebrand,

are constantly perpetuated by mixed cultural signals. This sort of brand put on her from

an early age created many unpleasant events throughout her life. According to the text,

during Cofer's time abroad in London attending Oxford University for her graduate

credits, she was approached by a young man. “With both hands over his heart, he

broke into an Irish tenor's rendition of "Maria" from West Side Story”(Cofer 203). Without

knowing her, this, young man decidedly broke out into a stereotypic song based on her

looks that unknowingly made Cofer quite uncomfortable. Cofer further goes on to

express that I was cognizant of the fact that the same man—who by most accounts was

certainly a business executive—would not have likely entertained a white woman in

public with a degrading song. But in this propaganda-populated world, I was only a

character, like Evita or Maria to these different men. While the crowd would rather

applaud his singing rather than see how this issue made Cofer feel she felt she had no

other choice but to smile until the moment passed. In addition to that, at a time when

Cofer was younger, she received a sloppy painful kiss that she immediately regretted.
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For that reason, she did not fully reciprocate the passion in the kiss. She recollects him

saying "I thought you Latin girls were supposed to mature early"(Cofer 205). A

statement that signals no regard to the other that that person is a human being. Cofer

felt that she was treated like a fruit or vegetable, and for the very first time; as opposed

to simply maturing into womanhood like other girls, I was expected to ripen. This type of

treatment caused Cofer to rethink things about herself and her worth. Eventually,

pushing through the adversity, she is now able to continue her work and live as though

she is unbreakable.

Many more people are victims of being stereotyped. Another Latino woman

claimed that in the workplace she has received comments such as “Wow, you speak so

well… You are not like them… You are really smart… OR You are different and they will

really like you”(But You Speak so Well”: How Latinos Experience Subtle Racism).

Constantly being paraded with backhanded compliments can completely harm

someone's mental state. Brainwashing them into believing that they are lesser than their

peers who say such harmful words. Cofer can relate to this kind of tongue-in-cheek form

of praise. She states “Since I do not wear my diplomas around my neck for all to see, I

too have on occasion been sent to that "kitchen," where some think I obviously

belong”(Cofer 207). Similar to how Staples does not wear his diplomas to show he is

intelligent, Cofer faces not only racism but sexism that disrespects her character all in

all. As well as students that go to school in Detroit that have dealt with subtle racism

and stereotyping. They claim that they have experienced being wrongfully accused

because officers thought an individual had drugs on them simply because they were

African American. Or in other words, he “fit the description.” Staples may be able to
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resonate with this form of misjudging one's character. He claims, “One day, rushing into

the office of a magazine I was writing for with a deadline story in hand, I was mistaken

for a burglar”(Staples). Staples wasn't so much as surprised at this insult but more so

calm enough to solve it quickly before things could escalate. As stated before,

defamation of someone's name due to the way their skin is or the way they dress is next

to criminal. Putting someone in the hot seat of something so negative and inappropriate

can truly negatively affect them in the long run.

Stereotyping is a prevalent issue in society that has far-reaching consequences

for its victims. It involves making generalizations about individuals based on their

membership in a particular group, often leading to harmful labels and judgments. The

causes of stereotyping are multifaceted and can be attributed to various factors such as

ignorance, fear, and the need for social categorization. One of the primary effects of

stereotyping is the dehumanization of individuals. By labeling someone based on their

race, gender, or any other characteristic, we reduce them to mere stereotypes rather

than recognizing their unique qualities and individuality. This dehumanization can lead

to discrimination and prejudice against the victims, denying them equal opportunities

and perpetuating inequality. Moreover, stereotyping also hinders personal growth and

development. When individuals are constantly subjected to negative stereotypes, they

may internalize these beliefs about themselves. This self-fulfilling prophecy can limit

their aspirations and potential achievements as they start believing they are incapable

due to societal expectations. Furthermore, labeling others through stereotyping creates

division within communities. It fosters an "us versus them" mentality that fuels conflicts
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between different groups. Stereotypes create barriers between people by emphasizing

differences rather than promoting understanding and empathy.

In conclusion, stereotyping has detrimental effects on both individuals and

society as a whole. It dehumanizes victims, restricts personal growth, perpetuates

inequality, and creates divisions among communities. It is essential for society to

recognize the harm caused by labeling others based on stereotypes in order to foster

inclusivity and promote equality for all individuals regardless of their background or

characteristics.
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Works Cited

“But You Speak so Well”: How Latinos Experience Subtle Racism.” Psychology

Benefits Society, 26 Sept. 2013, psychologybenefits.org/2013/09/26/how-latinos-

experience-subtle-racism/comment-page-2/.

Kintisch, Eli. “How Students Experience and Cope with Racist Stereotypes.” PBS

NewsHour, 20 Jan. 2020, www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-students-experience-

and-cope-with-racist-stereotypes.

‌Cohen, Samuel, and Brent Staples. "Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space."

50 Essays: A Portable Anthology, 6th ed., Bedford / St. Martin's, Boston, MA, 2023,

pp. 700-5.

Cohen, Samuel, and Judith Ortiz Cofer. "The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a

Girl Named Maria" 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology, 6th ed., Bedford / St. Martin's,

Boston, MA, 2023, pp. 285-96.

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