Problematic Stereotypes

I recently read an article that described a GOP senate candidate’s political tactics to gain voters in Harlem. In his mind he was trying to gain votes by handing out free stuff, but in reality he was perpetuating and enforcing a major stereotype of the black community. He wanted to appeal to the black voters of Harlem, so he handed out free watermelon, fried chicken, and Kool-aid.

            He was immediately met with a lot of backlash, with one man saying, ““It’s racist. Whoever he is, I think he should go back in whatever hole he crawled in and have a great life.” However the candidate still insists that this was in efforts to help the community. He said, “What I think is anyone who gives free food to people is doing them a favor. Get a bunch of people who say it’s offensive and let me go into their neighborhood and give it out for free and see if they take it.” The candidate, a non-white Latino, continues to back his decision and does not understand the racially charged tones of his decisions.

It’s really concerning that a potential senator is completely comfortable with and in favor of perpetuating these well-known and historic stereotypes. By allowing our leaders, or potential leaders, to continue to speak this way or believe in this, we are continuing to stereotype and dehumanize African Americans. It’s extremely problematic that we, and our leaders see no problem with reducing people to petty stereotypes and that people feel comfortable using these in their political games.

            This article brought me back to the exercise we did in one of the first classes when we listed stereotypes of both blacks and whites. While we all kind of joked around about these stereotypes for both races, this article brought me back to realize how serious these stereotypes are in some peoples’ eyes. I think it’s unavoidable for anyone to completely rid themselves of stereotyping others, but it’s really worrisome to see how people hold these stereotypes as the truth and then try to use them to their advantage.

            I believe we need to continue to work to break down stereotypes against everyone. How we do this, I’m not quite sure, but I feel certain that until we see people as people and not confine them to the boxes we’ve accepted, we will not make progress as a society.