Stereotypes

The sad reality is that many of us have probably faced stereotypes before and were affected by them. There are really no type of good stereotype, because you are categorizing people, usually based on factors of themselves that they cannot help, such as race or gender. Stereotypes also makes it seem as if you do not fit the stereotype that has been assigned to you, you are seen as weird and as an outcast.

So yes, stereotypes are harmful and shouldn't be used.

The commercial of the truck-man vs. car-man definitely uses stereotypes, where they assume different things about the man due to the car that he has. Was this done in good fun? Well, many would say that it did not really harm anyone, and that no one was really offended by this fun little commercial. Though I do believe this was rather harmless, I much rather not see a commercial using stereotypes aired. 

This commercial will be played over and over again to such a large audience, which could have a lot of impact on many people. If people are to see stereotyping used on television, and see it as harmless, they may be under the impression that stereotypes are not a bad thing. 

I've seen this happen with a swear word. I got upset at my brother for using a very derogatory word and he said that the cartoon show, the Simpsons, explains how, to the character who used the word, they do not use the word to be derogatory, but more as a synonym for being annoying. He used this as an example of why it wasn't bad to use the word.

This relates to the commercial because people will see how stereotyping is used in the commercial and was not as harmful, therefore thinking it would be okay to stereotype, when in reality, it is not. 

In conclusion; the commercial was generally harmless, but it could get into peoples heads that stereotyping is fine. 

Let's try to keep that "this stereotype was out of good fun, take a joke!" mindset out of everyone. Stereotyping is not okay.

- Natalie