[John]

Popular culture and media representations do have much to do with the stereotypes created. The popular media for years portrayed women as helpless creatures needing rescue from all dangers, blacks as Uncle Tom smiling caricatures, Italians as Mafia thugs, etc. - at least until fairly recently, with the advent of political correctness. Certain stereotypes, however, are still employed and apparently acceptable when others are not. Country people can be ridiculed on TV because of their accents, lack of higher education or 'redneck' traits. If Hollywood wants to portray a character as ignorant, evil or sub-cultural, give him or her a country/Southern accent and viola: instant plot foil. Hollywood tends to deal in stereotypes because it is an easy visual hook that doesn't require real character developement: was it suprising that Forrest Gump spoke with a drawl? 'All In The Family' Archie Bunker was a Northerner because Norman Lear's message of tolerance and diversity would have been lost if the lead bigot was just another Southern stereotype (another of the last truly acceptable stereotypes being union workers as lazy and corrupt). The people with the least money and power are always the most susceptible to stereotypes.

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Name : John, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 38, City : Orlando, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : Airline pilot/union leader, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[John]

My observation on American societal classes is that we are indoctrinated from early on that every one has the opportunity to better oneself through education and hard work. Unfortunately, that be both true and untrue. My great grandfather to the U.S.A. speaking no English and went into the coal mines of western Pennsylvania. I am college educated and an airline pilot. My grandfather placed a high value on education and thus encouraged my father to study and 'better' himself. Two generations, myself and my father, took advantage of military tuition opportunities through Naval service(as well as the opportunity to get killed in combat overseas if necessary)to attend college and advance ourselves economically. Unfortunately, there is not always an equal level of education available in terms of quality and/or economic ability. Oft times, poorer members of American society do not enjoy a cultural emphasis on education or do not have a tax base that supports college preparation level schools. The cycle of undereducated parent/child repeats itself as the parent sees little value in promoting educational opportunities and the child receives little encouragement either at home or in school to work toward the far off goal of higher education and the potential rewards resultant from attending college. There is opportunity to improve one's social/economic status in America. It entails education, motivation and hard work. Social barriers are more fluid than in many other societies, although there are remaining pockets of resistance based upon racial or religious aspects. U.S. laws prohibit certain forms of discrimination based upon race or religion and our legal system works to address violations. The system is far from perfect but it is a result of the corrections inherent in a democratic society - oftimes painful and noisy but better than many of the alternatives.

User Detail :  

Name : John, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 38, City : Orlando, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : Airline pilot/union leader, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

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