Stereotype Definition:
Stereotypes are generalizations about a group of people whereby we attribute a defined set of characteristics to this group. .
These classifications can be positive or negative, such as when various nationalities are stereotyped as friendly or unfriendly. However, the media stereotypes of African Americans, which are the primary focus of this documentation, are the negative stereotypes that contribute to apprehension experienced by the stereotyped group as they are consistently treated unfairly.
YAAAMS Stereotype Violation Codes: In response to the consistent negative stereotyping of the African American community, YAAAMS has developed a violation code that serves to identify and classify common stereotypes. This system was modeled as a law code in order to rank infractions according to their severity as well as to injunct affirmative consequences commensurate with the stated offense. Offenses are categorized in two main classes: Historic and Modern.
Historical Stereotypes are those that derive from the propaganda used to support American slavery. Propaganda that stated that Blacks were sub-human, or required firmness, or were in need of rescue from their inborn heathenism in order to provide a veneer of justification to an outwardly religious society for the obviously immoral practice of human slave trafficking. The Civil Rights Movement and the overall acceptance of the ideal that all men are created equal did not supplant the existing stereotypes of African Americans.
::Tangela fix this – key terms should stand out like a glossary.:: (I suggest you highlight these so she can easily see them.)
Modern Stereotypes are a new breed of stereotypes. They evolved to depict a group of people who, by genetic malfeasance and moral degradation, somehow deserved the injustices perpetrated upon them. This new breed of stereotypes is defined as “Modern Stereotypes”.
Whether a stereotype is of Historic or Modern origins, it is perpetuated in one of three ways: Covert, Subvert, and Overt. Overt portrayals of stereotypes are obvious direct references to stereotypes and stereotypical traits. They are usually in the form of direct statements. Subvert portrayals of stereotypes are less obvious and tend to seep into the viewers’ subconscious. These may be printed statements, arguments that are made in seemingly logical context, or a variety of other visible, yet not obvious, means. Covert portrayals are the most insidious kind. These are mostly crimes of omission, yet by intentionally minimizing a characteristic from view that would negate a stereotype, any basis for altering or disproving a stereotype is also minimized. Therefore, any rare character that does not fall into the stereotypical model appears to be the exception to the rule, instead of a manifestation of variety in any social group.
Media Stereotype Hierarchy: Violation will be given a code based on stereotype portrayals.
Historic: Propaganda based
Modern: Depiction based
Overt: Obvious, stated outright
Subvert: Overtly relevant, however contaminated with various stereotypical undertones
Covert: Surreptitious, hidden, stereotype portrayals.
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