One of the stereotypes in the exhibit was ‘The Temptress.’ This character was a woman with long black hair, a small waist, a revealing hole in her dress, slits up the side of her dress, and a more feminine face structure. She is also wearing red, which is traditionally known as a more seductive color. She is described as using her body to manipulate people and get her way. I don’t think that this particular stereotype exists today, but it is still found in modern times within videogames and some comic series. I believe that this stereotype does not just pertain to Asian culture and it is spread to many women, or it is expressed in media as being found in women of all races and ethnic backgrounds. The visual representation of the character displays exactly what a temptress is and shows the viewer that the temptress uses her body and femininity as a manipulation tool. Also, she looks powerful and independent, as supposed to the lotus blossom, who looks more subservient. She is an independent woman, who will get what she wants.
Another stereotype in the exhibit was ‘The Guru.’ The guru was presented as an older man with a cloak and long white beard. This stereotype is really often seen within Asian culture as the wise man who trains his younger students to find peace or turn them into a better warrior by providing them with certain skills. This stereotype still exists and is very often portrayed in society. References about Confucius are often made and many Asian video games and modern media utilize this figure. Many television shows and movies say that the student will not be ready until they can grasp a pebble from their master’s hand. This pertains to the guru idea. “The Karate Kid,” a film made in 1984 also utilized the idea of the guru. In this film, a young man was taught the art of karate by an older Asian janitor that worked at the apartment complexes, but he was taught the basic moves in the form of chores. The visual representation communicates what the guru looks like, although many already know because of popular media and comics.. This stereotype is very popular and many already envision him as an old man with the long white beard and cloak.
There are many stereotypes that exist within our culture today. Many are negative and many are what people perceive to be true because they do not know any better. There are stereotypes for every race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and generation. Some more offensive ones include Jewish people are rich, Asian people are good at math, Irish people are drunks, Italian people are associated with the mafia, men are strong and do all the work, and women are not good at sports. Although these stereotypes are not true, they exist and these one-dimensional characterizations are dangerous. They limit people from getting to know a person because they judge another based on a stereotype. There is a lot of ignorance in the world and many times stereotypes are unintentionally deciding factors for whether or not a person will fit in and be accepted. I have been perceived through stereotypes on numerous occasions. As an athlete, I have been judged to be not as good as the boys, even if I was because of my gender. I had to work that much harder in sports to really gain respect from the opposite gender and prove that I did have skill and talent. Also, having a Jewish last name I was always perceived as being Jewish. These stereotypes stood me a apart from my classmates who were predominantly Christian. Although I am not Jewish, my last name spoke for me and I have heard every Jewish stereotype in the book because that’s how I am perceived until I correct people.
WRT 102.22: Science & Society 