Page 263 - Keys To Community College Success

Both positive and negative stereotypes
KEY 9.2 mask uniqueness.

POSITIVE STEREOTYPE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPE
Women are nurturing. Women are too emotional for business.
African Americans are great athletes. African Americans struggle in school.

Hispanic Americans are family oriented. Hispanic Americans have too many kids.

White people are successful in business. White people are cold and power hungry.
Gay men have a great sense of style. Gay men are overly effeminate.

People with disabilities have strength of will. People with disabilities are bitter.

Older people are wise. Older people are set in their ways.
Asian Americans are good at math and science. Asian Americans are poor leaders.

Risk identifying your stereotypical or prejudicial thinking on the way to the
reward of cultural competence. Ask analytical questions about your own ideas
and beliefs:

■ How do I react to differences?
■ What prejudices or stereotypes come to mind when I see people,
in real life or in the media, who are a different color than I am?
From a different culture? Making different choices?
■ Where did my prejudices and stereotypes come from?
■ Are these prejudices fair? Are these stereotypes accurate?
■ How does having prejudices and believing stereotypes harm me?

With the knowledge you gain as you answer these questions,
move on to the next stage: looking carefully at what happens when
people from different cultures interact.

Action #3: Be Aware of What Happens
When Cultures Interact
Interaction among people from different cultures can promote
learning, build mutual respect, and broaden perspectives. However,
as history has shown, such interaction can also produce problems
caused by lack of understanding, prejudice, and stereotypic think-
ing. At their mildest, these problems create roadblocks that obstruct
relationships and communication. At their worst, they set the stage
for acts of discrimination and hate crimes.

Discrimination Federal law says you cannot be denied basic
opportunities and rights because of your race, creed, color, age, gen-
der, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, potential or
actual pregnancy, or potential or actual illness or disability (unless
the illness or disability prevents you from performing required
tasks, and unless accommodations are not possible). Despite these

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