Racial and Ethnic Distinctions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Racial and Ethnic Distinctions - Essay Example much(prenominal) processes and reactions are widely spread in the contemporary world, and for their description are often used notions of racism, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination. Unfortunately, these terms are frequently used, without a precise understanding of their consequence that only aggravates the issues they should clarify.The discussion of any concepts is impossible without their preliminary careful definition. Most of the differences in opinions regarding any return of disa put usually arise not because of disagreements in understanding of values or importance of these notions in our daily life, but because of some distinctions in their definitions. It should be stated that some categories are variable and in the main depend on the meanings inserted by contemporaries.The term stereotype was for the first time used in the word of honor Public Opinion written by the classic of American journalism, Walter Lippmann (1922) . Using this term he was severe to describe the method, by means of which community tries to categorize people. As a rule, public opinion save put stamps basing upon some characteristics. Lippmann marked out four aspects inherent all stereotypes.Secondly, people get stereotypes (from friends, relatives, co-workers, sight media, etc.) rather then formulate them grounding on their own experience. As an example we may stool the image of a perfect woman. There is a stereotype that she must be blond, tall, skinny, with blue eyes, and extensive legs. But it is not a secret that a lot of men on becoming cured and getting own experience realize that they like women with dark hair or plump women.The fourthly aspect is that stereotypes are extremely tenacious of life.