Here is the second part of my thoughts on stereotypes. If you missed it, make sure you read the first post.

I can think of two main reasons why stereotypes stick:

1) To maintain one’s identity

2) To establish masculinity

The first reason – to maintain one’s identity – can explain why stereotypes stick because some people can feel that if their heritage is defined by traditions (sometimes expressed with stereotypes) and to break from the traditions and stereotypes can be perceived as breaking from their identity. In the case of African Americans, lots of African traditions were lost through slavery so the ones that survived and the new African American traditions that emerged from and after slavery are very important to African Americans to hold onto as a form of self identification even if they are expressed with negative, racial stereotypes. In some people’s eyes, to betray the cultural traditions which are sometimes expressed in stereotypes is equivalent to abandoning their culture and their identity – to assimilate into the white majority. It is better to maintain their cultural heritage even if that means fitting a stereotype than to be a race traitor or a part of white culture. Read the rest of this page »