So, when I got home from class I was thinking about the idea of stereotypes. But, past the idea of just stereotypes, I was thinking about the idea of how stereotypes have had competitive uses in the course of history. The obvious for me as an example would be the treatment of Jews in the Holocaust, but as I thought more, I started to realize that the very existence of the United States was based off the idea of competitive stereotyping. There are many instances where this idea becomes applicable, but examining the roots of our country, Indians were stereotyped to the extent that it became common belief that they were savages and barbarous. I have looked at several accounts ranging from Columbus, to Smith, and later Cass, and even our late president Jackson, in addressing whom the Indians “actually were.” Simply put, Indians were stereotyped as a mean of personal gain for forefathers in America. The stereotypes were used as justification for actions like The Indian Removal Act. Jackson for instance, used the idea that Indians would die without the Whites help and that they were inferior by nature. Its interesting to think about the political and social impact a statement like that, from the president, would mean to a public listening to their “leader.” Men in high power (and I am generalizing to a degree) whom would have spoke of these savages surly had an impact on public opinion. Forming untruthful ideas, and persuading the public to think the same way in the belief, achieved a basic rational for personal advancement. The reason someone like Jackson got his way, was due to his persuasive nature, and ability to enforce stereotypes into mass belief. It’s a sad reality, but Jackson’s made-up reality, and driving competitiveness, laid a foreground for advancement of the American Identity.
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