Tessa Perkins' 5 assumptions - Hotel Babylon

Tessa Perkins' 5 assumptions - Hotel Babylon

Stereotypes are not always negative

There are many examples of stereotypes which aren't negative ones. A stereotype is a widely held but fixed image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Tessa Perkins believes in this theory that not all stereotypes are negative. An example that he used was that the French were good cooks. In relation to Hotel Babylon, Perkins' theory is correct to an extent because it has a lot of counter stereotypes of the immigrant workers making them good people within the TV Drama as well as stereotypes. This shows that the stereotypes aren't always correct

They are not always about minority groups or the less powerful

In Hotel Babylon, the stereotypes are not always regarding the black characters which are seen as the minority and the less powerful compared to other groups of people who work at the Hotel. The white characters which hold the most power prove this theory because they are also stereotyped as rich. Also, in Hotel Babylon, the black staff members have to hide when the officers come to inspect the hotel for immigrant workers. Whereas the white workers didn't need to hide.

They can be held about ones own group

In Hotel Babylon there are any particular stereotypes which relate to teenagers who are stereotypically viewed as thugs. Due to this stereotype of teenagers, it proves that the theory can not be applied to Hotel Babylon.

They are not rigid or unchanging

Within Hotel Babylon, the stereotypes which are presented are very challenging to remove or change due to the fact that black people have the stereotypical view of immigrants and criminals. Although black people hold this stereotype, over the past years black people have had a less judgmental view and are seen more equally compared to when they were harshly stereotyped. This proves that stereotypes can change.

They are not always false

In Hotel Babylon, black people had the stereotypical view of all black people are immigrants making it harder for them to find work. Although they had this stereotype, it was true as all the black workers in the hotel were all immigrants.