Written Analysis II

Written Analysis II: Rituals and Stereotypes of Violence

                When Someone says the words “ritual” or “stereotype,” you most likely don’t have violence come to mind.  While there are much more obvious aspects of pop culture that have prolific examples of rituals, and especially stereotypes, there are without a doubt both of these within violence as well.  Violence as a whole is so widespread in our culture that it doesn’t take long to find connections between rituals and violence, as well as stereotypes and violence.

                One of the most obvious rituals in terms of violence, to me, are the rituals of gang initiation.  One half of one percent of the US population are active members in street gangs, and nearly all of these gangs require a violent initiation to be included in a gang that will simply spread more violence (“Gangs,” 2014).  This initiation typically comes in the form of being “beat in” for men, and “sexed in” for women, which sadly are exactly what they sound like (Knox).  Gangs aren’t the only ones who have violent rituals, however.  Many college fraternities (and even sororities) have violent initiation rituals, from paddling to fist fights to boiling water and other forms of torture, not much is outside the minds of college students thinking up ways to hurt or humiliate their fellow students.

                There are also many stereotypes of violence as well.  Going back to gangs, most everyone associates gangs with violence completely.  This is a stereotype that is, for the most part, true; however, there are many gangs (especially biker gangs), that are actually do-good gangs that protect people that have been victims of violence, and children who have been abused by parents or guardians.  There is also a street gang in New York known as the Guardian Angels who protect those who use the subway system.  Another stereotype that is widespread is the notion that all Muslims want to kill Christians.  While Radical Islamists do take their beliefs to the extreme, to the point of wielding AK-47s and killing any and all Christians they can, the vast majority of Muslims in the world live peacefully next to Christians. In fact, over 2% of the US Population is Islamic, yet you don’t see them whipping out guns at Wal-Mart and going to town (Gabriel, 2013).  I believe most Americans only have exposure to Islam through the news, and don’t realize the truth about Islam.

                As individuals I believe it is our responsibility to do our due diligence in not believing stereotypes and doing our own research to see what the truth is on any subject of value to society, and “fact checking” as necessary to make sure we don’t fall victim to this ignorance.  Furthermore, I feel we should do what we can to promote beneficial and healthy rituals, and shun those that are violent or otherwise non-beneficial.  Doing so would ultimately lead to a more informed, less violent society.

References:

Federal Bureau of Investigation, (2014). Gangs. Retrieved from website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/gangs

Gabriel, M. (2013, May 09). Do all muslims want to kill us?. Retrieved from http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/world-religions/948-do-all-muslims-want-to-kill-us

Knox, G. National Gang Crime Research Center, (n.d.).Females and gangs. Retrieved from website: http://www.ngcrc.com/ngcrc/proffem2.htm