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Effects Of Stereotypes On Indigenous People

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Ethnic Stereotypes Imposed on Indigenous People Stereotypes are one of the many seeds of prejudice, and far too often the damage it can cause is overlooked. Throughout the growth and modernization of Canada, Indigenous peoples have been labelled with all sorts of untrue stereotypes from different forms of media. The negative depiction of Indigenous people is a far cry from reality, and the efforts made to erase it can be difficult because of the prejudice created because of the depictions. Media and older Hollywood films have played a large role in the stereotyping of Indigenous people, and many lack an understanding of the truth because of these misconceptions. Having these stereotypes applied can be very difficult to deal with, so it’s important …show more content…

King announces that “I’m not the Indian you had in mind / I’ve known him /. / the bear-greased hair, the pungent smell / the piercing eye, the startling yell / thank God that he’s the kind of friend” (I’m Not the Indian You Had in Mind, King, 1). These stereotypical physical features often stem from hearsay or forms of media, and these stereotypes are responsible for just some of the prejudice afflicted upon Indigenous people. Later in the poem, Thomas King enlightens the reader that “(I’m that) Indian. / the one who runs the local bar / the CEO, the movie star, / the elder with her bingo tales / the activist alone in jail / (...) / The doctor, the homeless bum” (I’m Not the Indian You Had in Mind, King, 2). The stereotypes and depictions of Indigenous people have warped so many perceptions to the point where Indigenous people have been seen as a completely different species. King’s poem points out facts through the mess of depictions and prejudice, and reveals what's real and what's not. It’s truly unfortunate that something like this even needs to be clarified, and it says a lot about the prejudices existing in society. Using his stories and other works, Thomas King actively strives to deliver the message that the prejudice surrounding Indigenous people is incredibly

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