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{{Worldwide}}
{{Globalize|date=February 2010}}
'''Stereotypes of white people''' are generalizations about the behavior of individuals of [[European ethnic groups|European]] descent, including those thought of as "[[white people|white]]," or "[[Caucasian race|Caucasian]]." The stereotypes vary from country to country.
'''Stereotypes of White people''' are generalizations about the behaviour of [[European ethnic groups|European]] descent, including those thought of as "[[White people|white]]," or "[[Caucasian race|Caucasian]]." The stereotypes vary from country to country wherever Whites constitute a significant amount of the population.


==United States==
==United States==


===Stereotypes of white Americans===
===Stereotypes of White Americans===
{{Original research|section|date=November 2009}}
{{original research|section|date=November 2009}}


====Positive stereotypes====
====Positive Stereotypes====
Though ethnic groups are attributed with a variety of negative stereotypes, different groups hold positive stereotypes of white people.<ref>Ponterotto, J.G. (1995) ''Handbook of Multicultural Counseling.'' Sage Publications, 1995. p 99.</ref><ref>Jarvis, M. and Russell, J. (2002) ''Key Ideas in Psychology.'' Nelson Thornes. p 131.</ref> A 1972 study found that, in general, whites were stereotyped with positive traits and minority groups with negative traits.<ref> Minako Kurokawa Maykovich, "Reciprocity in Racial Stereotypes: White, Black, and Yellow," ''The American Journal of Sociology'', Vol. 77, No. 5 (Mar., 1972), pp. 876-897</ref> The stereotypes of white people do not serve as a base for contemporary institutional discrimination; nor do they get expressed routinely in [[mass media]], because they are the ideas of minority groups without power.<ref>Crawford, Mary. ''Talking Difference: On Gender and Language''. SAGE, 1995. ISBN 0803988281. P.96.</ref> In a 1983 U.S. study on the associative strength between two words, and regardless of prejudice score, subjects responded reliably faster when positive attributes (e.g., 'smart') were paired with whites than when they were paired with blacks.<ref>"Racial Stereotypes: Associations and Ascriptions of Positive and Negative Characteristics", Samuel L. Gaertner, John P. McLaughlin. ''Social Psychology Quarterly'', Vol. 46, No. 1 (Mar., 1983), pp. 23-30</ref> Positively, whites are stereotyped as socially diverse\name="Race and Religion’s Role in Stereotypes and Perceived Social Standings">{{cite web|url=http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/291.php|title=Race and Religion's Role in Stereotypes and Perceived Social Standings|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref>
Though ethnic groups are attributed with a variety of negative stereotypes, different groups hold positive stereotypes of White people.<ref>Ponterotto, J.G. (1995) ''Handbook of Multicultural Counseling.'' Sage Publications, 1995. p 99.</ref><ref>Jarvis, M. and Russell, J. (2002) ''Key Ideas in Psychology.'' Nelson Thornes. p 131.</ref> A 1972 study found that, in general, Whites were stereotyped with positive traits and minority groups with negative traits.<ref> Minako Kurokawa Maykovich, "Reciprocity in Racial Stereotypes: White, Black, and Yellow," ''The American Journal of Sociology'', Vol. 77, No. 5 (Mar., 1972), pp. 876-897</ref> The stereotypes of White people do not serve as a base for contemporary institutional discrimination; nor do they get expressed routinely in [[mass media]], because they are the ideas of minority groups without power.<ref>Crawford, Mary. ''Talking Difference: On Gender and Language''. SAGE, 1995. ISBN 0803988281. P.96.</ref> In a 1983 US study on the associative strength between two words, and regardless of prejudice score, subjects responded reliably faster when positive attributes (e.g., 'smart') were paired with Whites than when they were paired with Blacks.<ref>"Racial Stereotypes: Associations and Ascriptions of Positive and Negative Characteristics", Samuel L. Gaertner, John P. McLaughlin. ''Social Psychology Quarterly'', Vol. 46, No. 1 (Mar., 1983), pp. 23-30</ref> Positively, Whites are stereotyped as intelligent, socially diverse, and, in White neighbourhoods, generally non-dangerous and not likely to commit crime.<ref name="Race and Religion’s Role in Stereotypes and Perceived Social Standings">{{cite web|url=http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/291.php|title=Race and Religion’s Role in Stereotypes and Perceived Social Standings|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref> In literary or typical writing facets, Whites are stereotyped to maintain correct grammar in their written work along with [[East Asians]]. Financially, Whites are portrayed as affluent. Whites are said to be very likely to graduate from high school, earn a degree in college, and get a well-paying future occupation, thus possessing a great chance to “succeed” in life as result of valuing education. In [[popular culture]], White people are typically portrayed as [[upper middle-class]] and/or business owners, or on a lesser scale, [[middle-class]]. Socially, Whites are pigeonholed as morally sound, in which they are, for example, less likely to practice unprotected sex or have births out of wedlock.


==== Social stereotypes ====
==== Social stereotypes ====
White Americans make up the majority of the nation's politicians and corporate executives<ref name="Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998">{{cite web|url=http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1998/03/zweigenhaft.html|title=Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005">{{cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new06_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males">{{cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_152.htm|title=US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref> as opposed to many minority groups that economically pale in comparison. In a study on mutual and self-perceptions of white Americans, African-Americans, and Japanese-Americans, white Americans were stereotyped as materialistic and pleasure-loving.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} Other stereotypes of white people include the idea that they are all "extremely self-involved, uneducated about people other than themselves, are unable to understand the complicated ways in which people who are not white survive, and are in deep denial about racism."<ref>Diamond, E. (1996) ''Performance and Cultural Politics.'' Routledge. p. 279.</ref> One common stereotype, relayed in comparison to a typical [[Stereotypes of Blacks|black stereotype]], is that white people lack a sense of rhythm and cannot dance.<ref name="Why, I Say, White People Can't Dance (And, Yes, It has to Do with Race/Culture/Rhythm, Appreciation, & Respect)">{{cite web|url=http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/563|title=Why, I Say, White People Can't Dance (And, Yes, It has to Do with Race/Culture/Rhythm, Appreciation, & Respect)|accessdate=2009-12-29}}</ref>
A stereotype associated with White Americans is many share racist beliefs for ethnic minorities, and not themselves, and are heavy supporters and defenders of [[White privilege]], despite the fact White Americans make up the nation’s elites,<ref name="Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998">{{cite web|url=http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1998/03/zweigenhaft.html|title=Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005">{{cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/hhinc/new06_000.htm|title=US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref><ref name="US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males">{{cite web|url=http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032006/perinc/new03_152.htm|title=US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref> as opposed to many minority groups that economically pale in comparison. This train of thought often leads to political ideals such as [[White power]] and [[White nationalism]],<ref name="What Is White Nationalism?">{{cite web|url=http://www.whitenationalism.com/wn/wn-06.htm|title=What Is White Nationalism?|accessdate=2009-12-23}}</ref><ref name="White Nationalism FAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.stormfront.org/Whitenat.htm|title=White Nationalism FAQ|accessdate=2009-11-21}}</ref> the desire to form an all-White state, or even [[White supremacy]], the belief members of the White race are superior to members of other races. Because White racists hold racist beliefs against individuals of other races, a significant amount of Whites feel that, for example, Black Americans [[Back-to-Africa movement|should be returned to Africa]],<ref name="Back-to-Africa Movement">{{cite web|url=http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4|title=Back-to-Africa Movement|accessdate=2009-12-23}}</ref> or any ethnic minority should be returned to their home country. As a result, White people are believed to be racially intolerant of individuals belonging to other races, especially that of Black Americans and [[Jews]]. In a study on mutual and self-perceptions of White-Americans, African-Americans, and Japanese-Americans, White-Americans were stereotyped as materialistic and pleasure-loving. One common stereotype, relayed in comparison to a typical [[Stereotypes of Blacks|Black stereotype]], is that White people lack a sense of rhythm and cannot dance.<ref name="Why, I Say, White People Can't Dance (And, Yes, It has to Do with Race/Culture/Rhythm, Appreciation, & Respect)">{{cite web|url=http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/563|title=Why, I Say, White People Can't Dance (And, Yes, It has to Do with Race/Culture/Rhythm, Appreciation, & Respect)|accessdate=2009-12-29}}</ref> This stereotype has become so accepted that both White and Black comedians lampoon the dancing ability of White people.<ref name="The DAMN! Show">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HiuCaaQhxg|title=The DAMN! Show|accessdate=2009-11-22}}</ref><ref name="George Carlin">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcr8dm9Prkk|title=George Carlin|accessdate=2009-11-22}}</ref> There is also stereotype that people of Caucasian ethnic background are inferior to people of [[Black African]] origin when playing certain sports. Other stereotypes of White people include the idea that they are all "extremely self-involved, uneducated about people other than themselves, are unable to understand the complicated ways in which people who are not White survive, and are in deep denial about racism."<ref>Diamond, E. (1996) ''Performance and Cultural Politics.'' Routledge. p 279.</ref>

⚫
==== Racist stereotypes ====
A stereotype for a member of the White race is the belief (s)he is superior to individuals of other ethnic groups, in terms of genetic and social aspects, stemmed from White supremacy.<ref name="What is White Supremacy?">{{cite web|url=http://www.prisonactivist.org/archive/cws/betita.html|title=What is White Supremacy?|accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref> Such stereotypes are born when individuals generalise the behaviour and actions of Whites that hold racist views, and lump them into a category that generalises all or most Whites as racists based on the subjected generalisations. White people are generalised to experience “White fear,”<ref name="Why White People Are Afraid">{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/story/36892/|title=Why White People Are Afraid|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref> the fear that Whites will eventually become a [[minority group|minority]], or fear that members of the White race would lose their “racial purity,” often resulting in White power movements.<ref name="Frequently Asked Questions: White Power">{{cite web|url=http://www.crusader.net/texts/wpfaq.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions: White Power|accessdate=2009-11-30}}</ref> Thus, some members of the White race are perceived by others to abhor anything that can potentially damage racial purity, which includes [[interracial dating]], usually leading to [[sexual intercourse]] and possible interracial births. This is concurrent with the trend to label anyone of mixed ancestry as the race of the "other," regardless of the fact that their European ethnic background may actually be the largest percentage of their heritage. Whites are also commonly reported hold racist beliefs online, as seen on various websites such as [[YouTube]],<ref name="Racism: Allowed to flourish on YouTube">{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/08/22/4335349.htm|title=Racism: Allowed to flourish on YouTube|accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref> despite that YouTube's Community Guidelines disallow hate speech that attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, and hate sites such as [[Stormfront]]. Many websites contain various types of racist material, ranging from racial and/or cultural insensitivity, to neo-[[Nazim]] and [[social Darwinism]]. On such sites, people, namely American minorities, oftentimes identify White individuals as racist [[internet trolls]] or [[cyberbullying|cyberbullies]], intent on posting racist material on various websites to offend or force an emotional response out of ethnic minorities. This behaviour is then utilised as data collected by minorities that is attributed to all, or at least most White individuals, creating the stereotypes that label Whites as online racists and [[race baiting|race baiters]].


==== Political stereotypes ====
==== Political stereotypes ====
In the United States, white people are often stereotyped as [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]],<ref name="Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious">{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/118937/republican-base-heavily-White-conservative-religious.aspx|title=Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious|accessdate=2009-11-21}}</ref> voting in favor of white privilege, and labeling anything that opposes it as "[[politically correct]]". Whites are also portrayed as supporters of [[capitalism]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} As a result, whites are stereotyped to abhor [[taxes]], and loathe any form of welfare or governmental assistance.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}
In the United States, White people are often stereotyped as [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]],<ref name="Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious">{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/118937/republican-base-heavily-White-conservative-religious.aspx|title=Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious|accessdate=2009-11-21}}</ref><ref name="Are Greedy White Men to Blame for the Financial Crisis?">{{cite web|url=http://whiteamerica.us/index.php/Articles/Articles/greedy_white_men/|title=Are Greedy White Men to Blame for the Financial Crisis?|accessdate=2009-12-29}}</ref>. Whites are also portrayed as greedy, materialistic, and are hardcore [[capitalism]] supporters.<ref name="Are Greedy White Men to Blame for the Financial Crisis?">{{cite web|url=http://whiteamerica.us/index.php/Articles/Articles/greedy_white_men/|title=Are Greedy White Men to Blame for the Financial Crisis?|accessdate=2009-12-29}}</ref> As a result, Whites are stereotyped to abhor [[taxes]], and loathes any form of welfare or governmental assistance, often dismissing the potential aids as “[[socialist]].”{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} Stereotypically, Whites oftentimes label Blacks as criminals, and consider their behaviour as a major issue of concern, in favour of the White race and the fate of America, which sometimes leads to exaggerated statistics portraying Whites as the victims of crime committed by Black individuals.<ref name="Exaggerated Crime Statistics">{{cite web|url=http://www.racismeantiblanc.bizland.com/005/06-02.htm|title=Exaggerated Crime Statistics|accessdate=2009-11-22}}</ref> Despite this, many Whites express complaint and ridicule of the issues, though do nothing to help the issues per se.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} Also, Whites believe the numbers of minorities will increase in due time, resulting in Whites becoming the minority, potentially decreasing their political power.<ref name="Majority U.S. Population Non-White by 2050">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1948146,00.html|title=Majority U.S. Population Non-White by 2050|accessdate=2009-19-29}}</ref>


==== Social, political, and economic oblivion ====
⚫
===Influence on blacks===
In the United States, Whites are also stereotyped as being oblivious to sub-culture and political, social, and economic issues primarily associated with members of other ethnic groups. For example, many Whites believe other, usually young, White individuals that partake in [[Hip-Hop]] culture are “acting Black” and are “posing” rather than considering their possibility of legitimately growing up and adapting to Hip-Hop, which leads to Whites labelling them as “[[wiggers]],” a generally pejorative term and another White stereotype. In a political instance, Whites are stereotyped to ignore or smokescreen the obvious disadvantages attributed to minorities, particularly Blacks and Hispanics. They are stereotyped to view any practices that help the disadvantaged as “[[reverse discrimination]],” solely derived on the belief the practices exclude White people.
⚫
Literature in the field of [[clinical psychology]] has said that this type of [[Eurocentrism|Eurocentric favoritism]] is indicative of the "pre-encounter" phase in the development of black identity.<ref>Patel, N. (2000) ''Clinical Psychology, 'Race' and Culture: A Training Manual.'' Blackwell Publishing, 2000. p 47.</ref> Some studies indicate that blacks have been unduly influenced by stereotypes of white people.<ref>Muran, J.C. (2007) ''Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship.'' American Psychological Association. p. 137.</ref>


====Negative portrayals of other whites====
==== White normality ====
White people are also stereotyped to view the White race as normal,<ref name="Beyond the Whiteness - Global Capitalism and White Supremacy: thoughts on movement building and anti-racist organizing">{{cite web|url=http://colours.mahost.org/articles/crass4.html/005/06-02.htm|title=Beyond the Whiteness - Global Capitalism and White Supremacy: thoughts on movement building and anti-racist organizing|accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref> while others are different. Thus, White people believe their race is diverse, whereas “people of colour” are all similar. As a result, stereotypes attributed to White people are divided into separate “types.” The types are listed as followed:
⚫
As the social definition of "white people" has changed over the years, studies have shown that different racial, ethnic and nationalities have different stereotypes of white people.<ref>Fernandez, R. ''America Beyond Black and White: How Immigrants and Fusions are Helping Us Overcome the Racial Divide.'' [[University of Michigan Press]]. p. 174.</ref><ref>Han, A. and Hsu, J.Y. (2004) ''Asian American X: An Intersection of 21st Century Asian American Voices.'' University of Michigan Press. p. 208.</ref> [[Ethnic group]]s such as the [[English people|English]], [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Italians]], and [[Slavs]] have been portrayed in popular media and culture in a negative fashion.<ref>Leo W. Jeffres, K. Kyoon Hur (1979) "White Ethnics and their Media Images", ''Journal of Communication'' 29 (1), 116&ndash;122.</ref>


⚫
*The '''[[dumb blonde]]''' is a popular-culture derogatory [[stereotype]] <ref>
⚫
===Intra-white stereotypes===
⚫
The '''[[dumb blonde]]''' is a popular-culture derogatory [[stereotype]] applied to [[blond]]e-[[hair]]ed women.<ref>
{{Citation
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</ref> The archetypical "dumb blonde," while viewed as attractive and popular, has been portrayed as very promiscuous, as well as lacking in both common street-sense and academic intelligence, often to a comedic level. The dumb blonde stereotype is used in '[[blonde jokes]].'
</ref> applied to [[blond]]e-[[hair]]ed women. The archetypical "dumb blonde", while viewed as attractive and popular, has been portrayed as very promiscuous, as well as lacking in both common street-sense and academic intelligence, often to a comedic level. The dumb blonde stereotype is used in '''blonde jokes.'''

*'''[[Redneck]]''' is a disparaging<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redneck] Definition from the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary</ref> term that refers to a person who is [[stereotype|stereotypically]] [[Caucasian race|Caucasian]] and of lower social-economic status in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], particularly referring to those living in rural areas. Originally limited to the [[Southern United States]],<ref>Wentworth, Harold, and Stuart Berg Flexner, ''Dictionary of American Slang'' (1975) p. 424</ref> and then to [[Appalachia]],<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3732/is_200601/ai_n17174894/? "Red Necks and Red Bandanas: Appalachian Coal Miners and the Colouring of Union Identity, 1912-1936"]</ref> the term has become widely used throughout [[North America]]. Rednecks are often stereotyped as obese, belligerent, beer gulping racists<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzbIt37FVo</ref> that reside in trailer parks, while also, stereotyped to partake in social taboo acts, such as [[incest]], and use the [[Confederate flag]] as a symbol of (White/Southern) pride.

*'''[[Valley Girl]]''' (or ''Val'', ''Val Gal'') is a term originally referring to affluent [[upper-middle class]] girls living in the [[bedroom community]] neighborhoods of [[San Fernando Valley]]<ref>http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=valley+girl|author=internet postings on Urban Dictionary|title=Definition of Valley girl</ref>. Valley girls are stereotyped as young, often attractive White females that are spoiled, conceited and, most notably, use “like” as a sentence modifier. The valley girl stereotype is especially popular within the media, making its way to dozens of teen-based films. Oftentimes, valley girls are stereotyped as “dumb blonds.”

*'''[[Wigger]]''' (alternatively spelled ''wigga'', ''whigger'' or ''whigga'', also known as ''acting Black'') is a pejorative slang term for a White person who emulates mannerisms, slang, and fashions stereotypically associated with urban African-Americans and urban Black British and Caribbean culture, especially in relation to Hip-Hop culture.

⚫
===Influence on Blacks===
⚫
Literature in the field of [[clinical psychology]] has said that this type of [[Eurocentrism|Eurocentric favoritism]] is indicative of the "pre-encounter" phase in the development of Black identity.<ref>Patel, N. (2000) ''Clinical Psychology, 'Race' and Culture: A Training Manual.'' Blackwell Publishing, 2000. p 47.</ref> Some studies indicate that Blacks have been unduly influenced by stereotypes of White people.<ref>Muran, J.C. (2007) ''Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship.'' American Psychological Association. p 137.</ref>

====Intra-White Stereotypes====
⚫
As the social definition of "White people" has changed over the years, studies have shown that different racial, ethnic and nationalities have different stereotypes of White people.<ref>Fernandez, R. ''America Beyond Black and White: How Immigrants and Fusions are Helping Us Overcome the Racial Divide.'' [[University of Michigan Press]]. p 174.</ref><ref>Han, A. and Hsu, J.Y. (2004) ''Asian American X: An Intersection of 21st Century Asian American Voices.'' University of Michigan Press. p 208.</ref> [[Ethnic group]]s such as the [[English people|English]], [[Germans]], [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Italians]], and [[Slavs]] have been portrayed in popular media and culture in a negative fashion.<ref>Leo W. Jeffres, K. Kyoon Hur (1979) "White Ethnics and their Media Images", ''Journal of Communication'' 29 (1), 116–122.</ref>


==South Africa==
==South Africa==
In contemporary [[South Africa]], [[Afrikaner]]s have been portrayed by media as backward, overweight, bombastic and conservative.<ref>Fourie, P.J. (2004) ''Media Studies: Institutions, Theories and Issues.'' Juta and Company Limited. p. 478.</ref>
In contemporary [[South Africa]], [[Boer]]s have been portrayed by media as backward, [[Hitler]]ite, overweight, bombastic and conservative.<ref>Fourie, P.J. (2004) ''Media Studies: Institutions, Theories and Issues.'' Juta and Company Limited. p 478.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Acting white]]
* [[Acting White]]
* [[Angry white male]]
* [[Aryan race]]
* [[List of terms for white people in non-Western cultures]]
* [[Angry white male|Angry White male]]
* [[List of terms for white people in non-Western cultures|List of terms for White people in non-Western cultures]]
* [[Nordic race]]
* [[Redneck]]
* [[Redneck]]
* [[Stereotypes of South Asians]]
* [[Stuff White People Like]]
* [[Stuff White People Like]]
* [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant]]
* [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant]]
* [[White trash]]
* [[White trash]]
* [[Stereotypes of black people]]


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 02:42, 2 June 2010

Stereotypes of White people are generalizations about the behaviour of European descent, including those thought of as "white," or "Caucasian." The stereotypes vary from country to country wherever Whites constitute a significant amount of the population.

United States

Stereotypes of White Americans

Positive Stereotypes

Though ethnic groups are attributed with a variety of negative stereotypes, different groups hold positive stereotypes of White people.[1][2] A 1972 study found that, in general, Whites were stereotyped with positive traits and minority groups with negative traits.[3] The stereotypes of White people do not serve as a base for contemporary institutional discrimination; nor do they get expressed routinely in mass media, because they are the ideas of minority groups without power.[4] In a 1983 US study on the associative strength between two words, and regardless of prejudice score, subjects responded reliably faster when positive attributes (e.g., 'smart') were paired with Whites than when they were paired with Blacks.[5] Positively, Whites are stereotyped as intelligent, socially diverse, and, in White neighbourhoods, generally non-dangerous and not likely to commit crime.[6] In literary or typical writing facets, Whites are stereotyped to maintain correct grammar in their written work along with East Asians. Financially, Whites are portrayed as affluent. Whites are said to be very likely to graduate from high school, earn a degree in college, and get a well-paying future occupation, thus possessing a great chance to “succeed” in life as result of valuing education. In popular culture, White people are typically portrayed as upper middle-class and/or business owners, or on a lesser scale, middle-class. Socially, Whites are pigeonholed as morally sound, in which they are, for example, less likely to practice unprotected sex or have births out of wedlock.

Social stereotypes

A stereotype associated with White Americans is many share racist beliefs for ethnic minorities, and not themselves, and are heavy supporters and defenders of White privilege, despite the fact White Americans make up the nation’s elites,[7][8][9] as opposed to many minority groups that economically pale in comparison. This train of thought often leads to political ideals such as White power and White nationalism,[10][11] the desire to form an all-White state, or even White supremacy, the belief members of the White race are superior to members of other races. Because White racists hold racist beliefs against individuals of other races, a significant amount of Whites feel that, for example, Black Americans should be returned to Africa,[12] or any ethnic minority should be returned to their home country. As a result, White people are believed to be racially intolerant of individuals belonging to other races, especially that of Black Americans and Jews. In a study on mutual and self-perceptions of White-Americans, African-Americans, and Japanese-Americans, White-Americans were stereotyped as materialistic and pleasure-loving. One common stereotype, relayed in comparison to a typical Black stereotype, is that White people lack a sense of rhythm and cannot dance.[13] This stereotype has become so accepted that both White and Black comedians lampoon the dancing ability of White people.[14][15] There is also stereotype that people of Caucasian ethnic background are inferior to people of Black African origin when playing certain sports. Other stereotypes of White people include the idea that they are all "extremely self-involved, uneducated about people other than themselves, are unable to understand the complicated ways in which people who are not White survive, and are in deep denial about racism."[16]

Racist stereotypes

A stereotype for a member of the White race is the belief (s)he is superior to individuals of other ethnic groups, in terms of genetic and social aspects, stemmed from White supremacy.[17] Such stereotypes are born when individuals generalise the behaviour and actions of Whites that hold racist views, and lump them into a category that generalises all or most Whites as racists based on the subjected generalisations. White people are generalised to experience “White fear,”[18] the fear that Whites will eventually become a minority, or fear that members of the White race would lose their “racial purity,” often resulting in White power movements.[19] Thus, some members of the White race are perceived by others to abhor anything that can potentially damage racial purity, which includes interracial dating, usually leading to sexual intercourse and possible interracial births. This is concurrent with the trend to label anyone of mixed ancestry as the race of the "other," regardless of the fact that their European ethnic background may actually be the largest percentage of their heritage. Whites are also commonly reported hold racist beliefs online, as seen on various websites such as YouTube,[20] despite that YouTube's Community Guidelines disallow hate speech that attacks or demeans a group based on race or ethnic origin, and hate sites such as Stormfront. Many websites contain various types of racist material, ranging from racial and/or cultural insensitivity, to neo-Nazim and social Darwinism. On such sites, people, namely American minorities, oftentimes identify White individuals as racist internet trolls or cyberbullies, intent on posting racist material on various websites to offend or force an emotional response out of ethnic minorities. This behaviour is then utilised as data collected by minorities that is attributed to all, or at least most White individuals, creating the stereotypes that label Whites as online racists and race baiters.

Political stereotypes

In the United States, White people are often stereotyped as conservative Republicans,[21][22]. Whites are also portrayed as greedy, materialistic, and are hardcore capitalism supporters.[22] As a result, Whites are stereotyped to abhor taxes, and loathes any form of welfare or governmental assistance, often dismissing the potential aids as “socialist.”[citation needed] Stereotypically, Whites oftentimes label Blacks as criminals, and consider their behaviour as a major issue of concern, in favour of the White race and the fate of America, which sometimes leads to exaggerated statistics portraying Whites as the victims of crime committed by Black individuals.[23] Despite this, many Whites express complaint and ridicule of the issues, though do nothing to help the issues per se.[citation needed] Also, Whites believe the numbers of minorities will increase in due time, resulting in Whites becoming the minority, potentially decreasing their political power.[24]

Social, political, and economic oblivion

In the United States, Whites are also stereotyped as being oblivious to sub-culture and political, social, and economic issues primarily associated with members of other ethnic groups. For example, many Whites believe other, usually young, White individuals that partake in Hip-Hop culture are “acting Black” and are “posing” rather than considering their possibility of legitimately growing up and adapting to Hip-Hop, which leads to Whites labelling them as “wiggers,” a generally pejorative term and another White stereotype. In a political instance, Whites are stereotyped to ignore or smokescreen the obvious disadvantages attributed to minorities, particularly Blacks and Hispanics. They are stereotyped to view any practices that help the disadvantaged as “reverse discrimination,” solely derived on the belief the practices exclude White people.

White normality

White people are also stereotyped to view the White race as normal,[25] while others are different. Thus, White people believe their race is diverse, whereas “people of colour” are all similar. As a result, stereotypes attributed to White people are divided into separate “types.” The types are listed as followed:

  • The dumb blonde is a popular-culture derogatory stereotype [26] applied to blonde-haired women. The archetypical "dumb blonde", while viewed as attractive and popular, has been portrayed as very promiscuous, as well as lacking in both common street-sense and academic intelligence, often to a comedic level. The dumb blonde stereotype is used in blonde jokes.
  • Valley Girl (or Val, Val Gal) is a term originally referring to affluent upper-middle class girls living in the bedroom community neighborhoods of San Fernando Valley[31]. Valley girls are stereotyped as young, often attractive White females that are spoiled, conceited and, most notably, use “like” as a sentence modifier. The valley girl stereotype is especially popular within the media, making its way to dozens of teen-based films. Oftentimes, valley girls are stereotyped as “dumb blonds.”
  • Wigger (alternatively spelled wigga, whigger or whigga, also known as acting Black) is a pejorative slang term for a White person who emulates mannerisms, slang, and fashions stereotypically associated with urban African-Americans and urban Black British and Caribbean culture, especially in relation to Hip-Hop culture.

Influence on Blacks

Literature in the field of clinical psychology has said that this type of Eurocentric favoritism is indicative of the "pre-encounter" phase in the development of Black identity.[32] Some studies indicate that Blacks have been unduly influenced by stereotypes of White people.[33]

Intra-White Stereotypes

As the social definition of "White people" has changed over the years, studies have shown that different racial, ethnic and nationalities have different stereotypes of White people.[34][35] Ethnic groups such as the English, Germans, Irish, Italians, and Slavs have been portrayed in popular media and culture in a negative fashion.[36]

South Africa

In contemporary South Africa, Boers have been portrayed by media as backward, Hitlerite, overweight, bombastic and conservative.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ponterotto, J.G. (1995) Handbook of Multicultural Counseling. Sage Publications, 1995. p 99.
  2. ^ Jarvis, M. and Russell, J. (2002) Key Ideas in Psychology. Nelson Thornes. p 131.
  3. ^ Minako Kurokawa Maykovich, "Reciprocity in Racial Stereotypes: White, Black, and Yellow," The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 77, No. 5 (Mar., 1972), pp. 876-897
  4. ^ Crawford, Mary. Talking Difference: On Gender and Language. SAGE, 1995. ISBN 0803988281. P.96.
  5. ^ "Racial Stereotypes: Associations and Ascriptions of Positive and Negative Characteristics", Samuel L. Gaertner, John P. McLaughlin. Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 46, No. 1 (Mar., 1983), pp. 23-30
  6. ^ "Race and Religion's Role in Stereotypes and Perceived Social Standings". Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  7. ^ "Mother Jones, the Changing Power Elite, 1998". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
  8. ^ "US Census Bureau, Household income distribution, 2005". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
  9. ^ "US Census Bureau, Personal Income for Asian American males". Retrieved 2007-01-20.
  10. ^ "What Is White Nationalism?". Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  11. ^ "White Nationalism FAQ". Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  12. ^ "Back-to-Africa Movement". Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  13. ^ "Why, I Say, White People Can't Dance (And, Yes, It has to Do with Race/Culture/Rhythm, Appreciation, & Respect)". Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  14. ^ "The DAMN! Show". Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  15. ^ "George Carlin". Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  16. ^ Diamond, E. (1996) Performance and Cultural Politics. Routledge. p 279.
  17. ^ "What is White Supremacy?". Retrieved 2010-03-06.
  18. ^ "Why White People Are Afraid". Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  19. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions: White Power". Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  20. ^ "Racism: Allowed to flourish on YouTube". Retrieved 2010-03-06.
  21. ^ "Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious". Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  22. ^ a b "Are Greedy White Men to Blame for the Financial Crisis?". Retrieved 2009-12-29.
  23. ^ "Exaggerated Crime Statistics". Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  24. ^ "Majority U.S. Population Non-White by 2050". Retrieved 2009-19-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  25. ^ "Beyond the Whiteness - Global Capitalism and White Supremacy: thoughts on movement building and anti-racist organizing". Retrieved 2010-03-06.
  26. ^ Regenberg, Nina (2007), "Are Blonds Really Dumb?", in mind (magazine) (3)
  27. ^ [1] Definition from the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary
  28. ^ Wentworth, Harold, and Stuart Berg Flexner, Dictionary of American Slang (1975) p. 424
  29. ^ "Red Necks and Red Bandanas: Appalachian Coal Miners and the Colouring of Union Identity, 1912-1936"
  30. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzbIt37FVo
  31. ^ http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=valley+girl%7Cauthor=internet postings on Urban Dictionary|title=Definition of Valley girl
  32. ^ Patel, N. (2000) Clinical Psychology, 'Race' and Culture: A Training Manual. Blackwell Publishing, 2000. p 47.
  33. ^ Muran, J.C. (2007) Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship. American Psychological Association. p 137.
  34. ^ Fernandez, R. America Beyond Black and White: How Immigrants and Fusions are Helping Us Overcome the Racial Divide. University of Michigan Press. p 174.
  35. ^ Han, A. and Hsu, J.Y. (2004) Asian American X: An Intersection of 21st Century Asian American Voices. University of Michigan Press. p 208.
  36. ^ Leo W. Jeffres, K. Kyoon Hur (1979) "White Ethnics and their Media Images", Journal of Communication 29 (1), 116–122.
  37. ^ Fourie, P.J. (2004) Media Studies: Institutions, Theories and Issues. Juta and Company Limited. p 478.

Template:Ethnic stereotypes

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