Good or bad, most stereotypes carry some truth

Stereotypes literally exist in all shapes and forms. Americans point out and comment on "the dumb blonde," "the cheap Jew," "the greasy Italian," "the flaming homo," "the dumb jock" and many other flavorful assumptions of people. Livid individuals combat each other in hopes of clearing the stereotypical issues bewildering many Americans.

However I do feel that these stereotypes exist based on some truth. No matter how long or brief the time period, the inclusion of a stereotype in a society is not invented or is not attributed to only one individual.

For starters, the clich� stereotype of "the dumb blonde" is ironic in detail. The "Barbie" figure, ubiquitous to Americans, has become a stereotypical image of what attracts real men. Women lacking confidence and self-esteem dye their hair in hopes of appeasing and appealing to the opposite sex.

In an effort gain attention, these women are feeding the stereotype. This is is a shallow attitude in my book. The change of one's hair color should be a personal assertion expressing individuality. It should not be done for someone else and certainly not used to get men to ogle.

People who are unfamiliar with, or do not have personal experience with something foreign use stereotypes to develop and create an idea to clarify it. It is human nature to explore and be curious of unfamiliar things but the use of stereotypes creates superficial views towards people, places, or things.

Though substantiated, the existence of stereotypes based on the truth is questionable. The discussion of stereotypes is richest when the entire audience is personally able to relate to a specific stereotype. In the world abroad, distant cultures, unable to visit, visually paint and imagine our culture. Stereotypes arise and Americans are judged in various lights.

According to the University of Illinois website, students illustrated the German stereotypes towards Americans. The report suggests that in the German opinion, "Americans are free people living almost without any restriction and spend at least 95 percent of their lives watching TV." Americans step back and question whether or not they are anarchistic, lazy couch potatoes, with no culture.

In explanation of the stereotypes, the report offers reason and commentary to justify the two stereotypes. The lack of restriction in America in comparison to the oppressive, dictatorial nations abroad, sheds light on the reason why America is held as a "free" model.

Furthermore, the importance of television in America is evident to the world abroad. Television plays probably a more important role in the American society than anywhere else on Earth. Shows are tailored to the needs of the audiences and Americans are inundated by hundreds of channels. The MTV age has dominated the stereotypes towards Americans in regard to culture, and it does not offer justice to the musicals, museums and schools Americans take for granted.

In retrospect, by identifying stereotypes that apply to our nation as a whole, we can realize there is truth behind stereotypes, no matter how ridiculously discriminating they are. As a nation, the level of maturity in respect to realizing the potential of individuals has evolved far more than skeptics care to admit.

"The dumb blonde," "the cheap Jew," "the greasy Italian," "the flaming homo," and "the dumb jock" all have the potential in our democratic society to become as well-known or scholarly as they wish to be.