Stereotypes in the American Media Essay

Stereotypes in the American Media Essay

Stereotypes in the American Media



Propaganda is an effective device that is used to influence and manipulate human behavior by appealing to emotions. When propaganda is combined with stereotypes, it usually produces negative results. A simplified view of a group of people, spread by mass communication can cause people to be more narrow–minded and can alter their perspective. Living in the Information Age, people are exposed to a constant stream of ideas and images. These ideas can reflect the views of those with a hidden agenda. They can also produce a generality about something that people are not familiar with, therefore readily accept the stereotype. There are many examples of propaganda from recent times that include stereotypes ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...When the movie "The Siege" starring Bruce Willis and Denzel Washington premiered in 1998, it was met with protest in Michigan. Nizam Arain, who belongs to the Muslim Community Association thought that Hollywood went too far with the Arab stereotype. He was quoted as saying: "To have the American public aware of the existence of Muslim terrorists is the job of the news media. But the purpose of the film is entertainment" (CNN 1998). After September 11, 2001, Arab–Americans were the targets of hate. "Mosques were firebombed, Arab–Americans were vocally abused and physically attacked, and at least six persons of Arab descent were murdered" (Lester 2002). This can be attributed to the false stereotype that the media created that all Arabs are terrorists, because that is what they are predominately portrayed as.



The 2003 War with Iraq also bred further stereotypes in the American media. Those who expressed the view that they opposed the war were labeled "un–American' and 'unpatriotic' and even supporters of Saddam Hussein. The mass amount of American symbolism, from the radio waves filled with 'God Bless America' to a surge in anything that incorporated the American flag, was propaganda to encourage people to be 'more American' and unite behind the President in

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