Do stereotypes usually represent real knowledge or prejudice?
There is usually a kernel of truth that, by the time the stereotype evolves into a stereotype, is blown massively out of proportion or warped until it no longer resembles the original kernel. These things are passed on from person to person, expanded on, until the form they take today. Rumors can also be started that are not based on anything but a supposition about the people, such as all of my people eat babies. That one came about because people wanted an excuse to raid our camps and kick over our stewpots so families go hungry and move on. I do not believe a single stereotype. Even if a large number of a group are like the stereotype, usually in a mild form, there are always, and I mean that literally, exceptions. Since stereotypes stipulate “all,” then stereotypes are, by their nature, invalid.
