Stereotypes in the Media

Stereotypes allow us to easily recognize a certain type of person by simply initiating the stereotype. For example, in movies, it is critical to establish a persona of a character quickly, and common stereotypes help establish these characters quickly. Many are also ignorant and believe that the stereotypes are true, and in this way of ignorance, the stereotype exists and remains. Many times, we do not even recognize or realize that stereotypes are being pushed at us. For example Disney creates characters abounding with stereotypes, the princesses, for the most part, are bland and lack character of their own, except for the aspiration to marry a prince or be saved by a prince. These types of stereotypes just pass over our heads, many times, we cannot recognize the stereotype for what it is since we are used to it so much. As an Indian person, we are commonly stereotyped in the media as intelligent, glasses wearing people, usually male, with a humorous accent (and lots of head bobbing). To me, these stereotypes do not usually offend because I think of them in a humorous light. I know, for the most part, that these stereotypes are not meant to be taken seriously, so I do not take them as such. But, overall, stereotypes are a problem in the media because some stereotypes are not meant to be taken lightly and can seriously hurt someone’s feelings. We should take steps to further prevent stereotypes from pervading the media, such as fining those who excessively use stereotypes in an offensive manner.