Non-Fiction Critical Analysis 2: Hechinger's Field Guide to Ethnic Stereotypes

            In “Hechinger’s Field guide to Ethnic Stereotypes” by Kevin and Curtis Hechinger, the Hechinger brothers want readers to know that stereotypes are nonsense because we are all different, and therefore, should be ignored.  One way that the Hechinger’s show readers this is by listing out all of the different stereotypes of different ethnicities.  The Hechinger’s also use ridiculous “facts” to make stereotypes seem even more crazy and unsupported.  For example, according to the book, “Many Scandi-Americans… have spent so much time consuming dairy products, eating baked goods, and sitting out the snows on their living room sofas, they have fundamentally altered their genetic code.”  This quote is just one example of a crazy “fact” that is obviously untrue and supports a ridiculous stereotype.  Finally, the Hechinger’s use humor to make fun of stereotypes and show that they are nonsense.  All of these examples show and support how people should not be confined to stereotypes or to listen to stereotypes.

            The Hechinger’s want readers to laugh at the hilarity of stereotypes, and feel surprised at the assumptions of some stereotypes.  One way that the Hechinger’s do this is by using humor to make fun of and show the ridiculousness of stereotypes.  For example, in the book, the author’s say, “But recent improvements in down-coat technology have led to the dispersal of Latinos across the country.”  This is one of the many ways that the book uses humor to disperse myths about ethnic groups that stereotypes and generalizations bring and support.  The Hechinger’s also simplify the topic by using casual language.  This use of language familiarizes and connects the narrator and the reader, causing the reader to feel comfortable while reading the book, and allows them to feel surprised at certain revelations and facts that contradict stereotypes. 

            After reading “Hechinger’s Field Guide to Ethnic Stereotypes,” I agree with the Hechinger’s that stereotypes should be ignored, but I think that the way they supported and built up their ideas with humor was confusing and unnecessary.  Their humor was too forced and to me it ended up just being confusing and seemed at least a little racist.  I agree with their message, but I thing that they went about saying it the wrong way.