Stereotyping

(9.) Stereotypes, omissions,[7] and distortions all contribute to the development of prejudice. Prejudice is a preconceived[8] judgment or opinion, usually based on limited information. I assume that we all have prejudices, not because we want them, but simply because we are so continually exposed to misinformation about others. Though I have often heard students describe someone as not having “a prejudiced bone in his body,” I usually suggest that they look again.

(10.) Prejudice is one of the inescapable consequences of living in a racist society. Cultural racism—the cultural images and messages that affirm the assumed superiority of Whites and the assumed inferiority of people of color—is like smog in the air. Sometimes it is so thick it is visible, other times it is less apparent,[9] but always, day in and day out, we are breathing it in. None of us would introduce ourselves as “smog-breathers” (and most of us don’t want to be described as prejudiced), but if we live in a smoggy place, how can we avoid breathing the air? If we live in an environment in which we are bombarded with stereotypical images in the media, are frequently exposed to the ethnic jokes of friends and family members, and are rarely informed of the accomplishments of oppressed groups, we will develop the negative ideas about those groups that form the basis of prejudice. […]

These two passages in Beverly Tatum's book tells how our society affects the way we look at other people. If you live in an all-white society, seeing people that aren't white will be very strange because you won't be use to it. But race isn't the only factor to this. Rich, poor,upper class, lower class all have effects in making people prejudice. Because everyone is different, everyone is prejudice im one way or another. Even if you say or do things that may prejudice, your thoughts about others still may be. For example, if a quite, nice, average school girl encounters a big, loud, black guy, she will stereotype him as a criminal or bad person. One day in class, Marcus mentioned that if you like racist jokes, then your prejudice. At first i didn't think that statement was true but then when i thought about it, i agreed. Racist jokes emphasize the negative ideas on other people of different race. Being prejudice is the same thing