Stereotypes

In the media, a stereotype is described as a set of beliefs based on preconceived notions about a person or group. According to Scharrer and Ramasubramanian (2015), stereotypes produce exaggerated mental images or pictures of the opposite character based on ethnic, social, and political differences. As a result, this paper delves into stereotypes in the media, which has emerged as a significant vehicle for disseminating stereotypic propaganda. The report examines racial stereotyping and racism as depicted in social media in particular. The media, in particular, has raised consciousness, resulting in the transformation of perceptions and assumptions about a community of people into facts. It accomplishes this by portraying minorities and telling inspiring stories about demeaning stereotypes. This is exemplified in various media advertisements. For instance, magazines, radio, television primes and newspaper (Scharrer, & Ramasubramanian, 2015).Research reports indicate that the advertisements profoundly influence how people relate to one another. Through this the world today has become a diverse place where people socialize, go to same schools, and share public utilities such as restaurants and toilets.

Nonetheless, social media propagates racial stereotyping and prejudice owing to the fact that it is the platform from which children and adults find stereotyped contents. For example, in entertaining programs including music, movies and drama that are saturated by racial and gender stereotypes.These negative perception about group of people has led to so many effects where an individual develops low self-esteem and become unable to express himself or herself where different racesare. Such persons always have low expectations because they feel limited. They doubt themselves and lack motivation born out of the negative perceptions created against their race.

Additionally, stereotyping does not only encompass stereotyping in the media and prejudice but also pervasively concerns other aspects including ethnicity,religion, andnationality. These have adversely affected sport team companies and participants who are against the use of the mascots. Forexample, the Native Americans protest against the use of the mascots to symbolize them. The use of the mascots in teams like the Brave brought about controversies prompting the change of their team’s logo. Scharrer, and Ramasubramanian, (2015), highlights reports on studies that discovered that men are considered to dominate in sportscompared towomen. Thus, women were viewed as spectators an opinion which later led to development of title IX of the education amendment act of 1972.The amendment stated that ,no one was to be excluded, denied, and discriminated against activities in regards to education programs and were to be supported financially by the federal government. This is backed up by investigating agenda setting and framing in sports magazine, analyzing whether or not racial stereotypes and inequality still exist. The amendment paved the way for women to become part of contemporary sports, starting with United State of America.

Conclusion

Concisely, stereotyping and prejudicing are detrimental and deleterious to the progress, development and growth of the societies. As such, the social media should as opposed to fueling stereotypic contents should consider conducting civic education in order to eradicate negative perceptions about people’s races, religion, ethnicity and nationality.Through civic engagement, the media together with their followers will conceptualize the significance and need to stand out and shun stereotyping and prejudicing.

Reference

Scharrer, E., & Ramasubramanian, S. (2015). Intervening in the media’s influence on stereotypes of race and ethnicity: The role of media literacy education. Journal of Social Issues, 71(1), 171-185.