Debunking Myths and Stereotypes
Tamara Solomon
HS5304
Dr. Carolyn Allen
Capella University
February 20, 2011
In today’s workplace to develop an understanding of how an African American function with stereotyping one needs to build a good relationship when others from another culture. A major key is to learn about another’s culture and get a feel for his or her background. The more skilled you become at interpreting and individuals actions.
What is the meaning of Myths and Stereotypes? Stereotypes are rigid, exaggerated, irrational beliefs, each associated with particular people of different cultures. Although stereotypes aren’t identical to prejudice, rigid stereotypes about people usually lead to prejudice. For instance, some people will hear crime stories all over the news today and automatically assume that an African American, probably male, committed the crime. These crime stories, might indeed, involve African American males, but not all crimes are committed by African Americans (Carr-Ruffino, 2005).
Myths are stories that a culture uses to express desired values, to bond people in the support of these values, and to coordinate social action to maintain the values. To get to know what it’s like to be an African American one must understand the myths and stereotypes they deal with every time. One myth would be that African Americans are preying on White Americans in our country. There could be some truth to these myths but most likely they are just over exaggerated (Carr-Ruffian, 2005).
African Americans have a story to tell that is unmistakably their own. Their history is unique, based on their rich cultural heritage, not all of which was lost in their transplantation to America or on the plantations. Despite insults to their humanity; psychological disorientation; and the social, cultural, and environmental displacement experienced during their early years in America and...
