Stereotypes are the generalities of life cut down to a fine point concerning a particular subject and directed usually toward a special goal (Browne, 2005, p 102, para 1). Most stereotypes I have encountered have been placing all people of a race or culture into a certain category and assuming that they all have the same characteristics and habits. Recently, Dallas Cowboy’s tight end Martellus Bennett has been accused of being racist. The odd part about it is he is accused of being racist against African-Americans, when he is an African-American himself.
Martellus and his brother, Michael, filmed themselves participating in what they called “The Black Olympics” and posted the video to YouTube as a party of his “Marty B TV” series (Hairopoulos, 2009, para 2). There were eating contests for fried chicken and watermelon, as well as a Kool-Aid drinking contest. The stereotype touched upon is that all African-Americans consume these foods ritually. Bennett’s response to the criticism was that he and his brother deal with stereotypes every day, and if they make a joke about it, it's even funnier. He also said that they don’t pay attention to the criticism (Hairopoulos, 2009 para 5-6). At Mavericks’ forward Brandon Bass’ Youth Camp, children approached Bennett by telling him “I bet I can eat chicken faster than you” (Hairopoulos, 2009, para 8). The Dallas Cowboys organization has only given Bennett a warning for the video posting.
I understand that stereotypes are derogatory and bring forth a lot of issues in society. However, I think if someone can take those stereotypes, especially, and only if they are against their own race or culture, and have fun with it, it takes some of the discomfort out of the situation. Making light of the situation does not necessarily mean you are being ignorant or insensitive, it’s just a way of dealing with the ignorance of others.
Reference
Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: A reader. Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin Press.
Hairopoulos, K. (2009). Dallas cowboys’ Bennett scoffs at claims his video is racist. The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 16, 2009, from Newspaper Source database.
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Latoya,
ReplyDeleteNice post. One of my best friends once told me that when he was growing up that his parents and others in his community routinely called each other "niger". I asked him why when it was such a derogatory word. His reply completely relates to this very post. He told me that he and others did this so as to desensitize themselves to the word. That way they could more effectively handle the idiots racist idiots that still propogate this earth. I say if the intent of the video was to poke fun at the rituals and stereotypes portrayed then so be it. Racism will never stop until everyone stops being racist. Stop the name calling, the stereotyping and the hatred. Nice post.