Labels Are For Soup Cans

         It seems that stereotypes has been the theme for AP English these past two weeks, ranging from Native Americans to African Americans; indeed, many of my fellow classmates have blogged their insightful opinions about stereotypical ethnic groups. However, although the class has generated thoughtful criticisms against the negative effects of stereotyping, I was never able to truly connect with the discussion, for we only read stories of the misfortunes others faced long ago. It wasn't until the media analysis that I realized just how much stereotypes are integrated in our society through media, slowly dictating us to unconsciously group others by hurtful cliches.

        Although the mass media is able to showcase its opinions to the general public through the senses of sight and hearing, television is the one media that uses both senses to not only brainwashes adults, but also their children. As a child of Canadian and Chinese descent, I loved watching adventurous Chinese cartoons and perky Canadian shows. However, it wasn't until I moved to Troy that I realized children were also exposed to highly influential cartoons such as Family Guy and South Park. Personally, I never enjoyed watching such cartoons for the following reasons:
        
  1) The pictures are rather ugly... Stewie has a lemon for a head, and I'm not quite sure what                happened with Peter's butt chin.

2) Crude, uncomfortable humor to laugh at with friends awkwardly.



Although watching this clip the first time is hilarious, the more I view it, the more I cringe when I hear the heavily-accented, broken English. Stereotypes are so overused in media that we unconsciously accept such degrading humor as valuable giggles worthy of our time; however, in all honesty, what would Americans consider humor to be without cliche stereotypes? Would the whole concept of a "joke" be turned around 180?

         Media stereotypes have impacted this country even to the smallest communities. If we look at any local high school as a microcosm, we will see teens using stereotypical characters as the bar to judge others. I realize now that sarcastic, degrading shows often twist the judgments of such students, to the point that they lose their own opinions and yield to whatever the show feeds them. For example, in Spanish last year, there was a boy who always muttered "dirty gypsies" when referring to Indians under his breath. However, anyone knows that gypsies are in fact not Indian. His rude comments were influenced by the music he listened to, the shows he watched, etc. and encouraged him to view others negatively.

Obviously, the stereotypes at Troy High are unnecessary and degrading, but what happens when we expand to the nation?

On a broader scale, TV cartoons have the ability to generate real-world discrimination.

In 2005, South Park notoriously aired the episode entitled "Ginger Kids" and started a nationwide stereotype of soulless people with red hair and freckles. In 2010, a Facebook group named "National Kick a Ginger Day" (inspired by the South Park episode) was created and as a result, many students were beaten harshly in schools across America. Incidents like these demonstrate that although stereotypical jokes may be considered humorous, all stereotypes have the potential to become more than just a joke through the influence of the media.Television has the ability to affect thousands of people, including children and adults alike, and Facebook has the ability to group together a massive clique to physically beat down and ostracize groups of people based on a stereotype.