Stereotypical View Of Black People example essay topic

Over the past decades there have been many changes in attitudes towards many things. There have been leaps and bounds made in technology, education, medicine just to name a few. But with all of these changes surrounding people has there been a change where it counts the most, race relations. There has been some shifts in the relationship between races but they are not necessarily what they should be or for the better. Many people in the nineteen fifties were raised around prejudice people. Children and many other did not find it wrong to use phrases like "colors" or "Negroes" or even go so far as to use the word "nigger" to describe someone of an African race.

Not many people would make a comment to someone they heard using these terms. Today hearing a person use those words would be a sign of ignorance as well as a sign of prejudice. People are also much more likely to comment on language like that when it is heard in a public or social setting. Another issue with terms such as these is that there is not a derogatory way to refer to Caucasians. If someone is going to use a derogatory terms to describe someone who is African American than shouldn't they have a word to use for degrading Caucasians? Sure one may hear the word "honky" once in a while by a comedian but other wise it's a rather unfair playing field, granted it is a stupid playing field, but still its unfair.

Another part of race relations is how people view blacks and whites. Many white people have a stereotypical view of black people, especially black youths. This stereotype tends to be a picture of only a small percent of black people. Not everyone who is black runs around in hip-hop inspired baggy clothing, listens to hip-hop, does poorly in school, or has a crummy home situation. But ask some people what a typical black teenager is, and you will get that response from at least one. People may ridicule blacks for those characteristics, but what about all of the white teenagers who drive around in their parents' minivan with rap blasting, wearing the same style clothes, and getting the same grades in school?

Its over looked, just shrugged off by people saying it's the influence of blacks, not that their child choose to dress that way. Our view of blacks now is different then it was in the 50's. Many people thought of blacks as being dirty, and that their kid might get lice or something from them, that they all had menial jobs, and lived in horrible areas of the city. Also in the 50's when rock-n-roll was emerging some people made a stink about how it was black music (it had roots in African rhythm and blues), and how it was also the devils music. Parents would try and keep their child from listening to such music, thinking that they would be influenced and go out and do crazy things, and dance inappropriately. Again no one bothered to sit back and think, what if their kids really do like this and they aren't being influenced into buying the records and dancing?

One major change since the time period is how people act in social situations with another race. When people once ignored someone because they didn't care for their race, or didn't want to acknowledge the existence of another race, now someone may be ignored due to the fact that their race is accepted by others, and they don't feel the need to be like "Hey you " re black, I don't mind your race just wanted to let you know". Now when people have an issue with race they tend just to let it be known through actions instead of just ignoring what they had a problem with. To end this, there isn't much to say.

There still are weak points in race relations, and it is taking way too long for time and acceptance to catch up and fix the problems.