Stereotypes In Society Today

Stereotypes have always been prominent within society. In today’s modern society, stereotypes are still prominent and always will be, but are slowly fading. Before, Caucasians, the majority race, were encouraged to use racial stereotypes and even gender stereotypes because it was the norm (p. 112). That is not the case since the late 1920s. People began to understand that prejudice and stereotypes against people who were not the norm was wrong (p. 112). Stereotypes were not seen as “pictures in our heads anymore,” they were seen as negative attitudes and negative perceptions of people (p. 112). Katz and Braly (1933) demonstrated the negative attitude that Caucasians had against African Americans (p. 113). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 strived to change such perceptions and allow for more equality for African Americans. African Americans were allowed to enter American society as equals.

Before, it was about how African Americans should be equal, today it is about how African Americans are implemented within the government (p. 116). Modern racism is not as different as old-fashion prejudice, it is just treated in a different manner. To be precise, modern racist believe that discrimination does not exist in the modern era, that the demands of African Americans are not fair, that African Americas are trying to be in places where they do not belong, and what African Americans earn is underserved and unfair. Although this is not as severe as during slavery or even before the Civil Rights movement, modern racism still perceives African Americans to be undeserving of certain rights, such as housing, economic, and other opportunities available to American citizens (p. 116). Modern racists do not classify themselves as racist because it is not what they classify as traditional racism. Yet, it is still racism and prejudice against a group who does fit the norm or majority