Title: Overcoming Racial Stereotypes // University Counseling Center // University of Notre Dame
Headings: Overcoming Racial Stereotypes
Overcoming Racial Stereotypes
What Are Racial Stereotypes?
How Do We Develop Racial Stereotypes?
Are Our Racial Stereotypes Harmful?
How Do We Overcome Our Racial Stereotypes?

Content: However, in most cases, racial stereotypes are harmful because they ignore the full humanity and uniqueness of all people. When our perceptions of different races are distorted and stereotypical, it’s demeaning, devaluing, limiting, and hurtful to others. In some cases, people who are repeatedly labeled in negative ways will begin to develop feelings of inferiority. Sometimes, these feelings of inferiority can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies that perpetuate the stereotype. Racial stereotypes can also foster feelings of hate and aggression that might lead to a false sense of entitlement and superiority. For those individuals who have power, this can lead to their engaging in discriminatory and racist practices. How Do We Overcome Our Racial Stereotypes? Because of their harmful effects, we should make a real commitment to try to overcome our racial stereotypes. This can be achieved by first acknowledging that we’re human and that we do harbor racial stereotypes. Next, we should work to become more aware of our inner thoughts and feelings and how they affect our beliefs and actions.