Culture Shock Home | Site Map


Stereotypes in Popular Culture

Stereotypes appear before us daily, in the kitchen, on a toy store shelf, and even embroidered on our clothing. These images are innocuous to some, offensive to others.



Image: The image is a photograph of one section of a cereal box, showing a black man holding a saucer of steaming hot cereal.
Caption: This is from a box of Cream of Wheat Enriched Farina.

Image: The image is a photograph of a Barbie doll in a clear plastic package labeled "Sweet Treats." The doll is holding a mixer in a bowl. Behind her are cooking utensils and a package of baking supplies labeled "Icing Mix."
Caption: The Sweet Treats Barbie doll is one version of the popular line of Barbie dolls sold by Mattel.

Image: The image is of a stitched logo above the pocket of a men's button-down denim shirt. The logo reads "Indians," and below it is stitched the face of a red man with an exaggerated grin and a feather sticking out of his head.
Caption: This logo for the Cleveland Indians, a baseball team, is embroidered on a denim shirt.




Image: This photograph shows a silhouette of a jockey with Caucasian features standing on top of and riding a woman. He holds a whip in his right hand and dangles a carrot in front of the woman with his left hand. The woman has African American features and appears to wear a torn skirt; she is running. In the lower left corner a rabbit appears to be shooting a gun at the woman.

Are you ready? Now's your final chance to have your say.

continue




Culture Shock: Home | Site Map
PBS | WGBH | ©