Stereotypes may be funny at times, but their true nature is damaging. Just the mention of rice and some people automatically think Japanese. Mention cocaine, think Columbian. Spaghetti, mama mia Italian.

We often accept stereotypes without thinking, despite the harm they cause.

Stereotypes demonstrate the ignorance of other cultures. But the blame cannot be totally placed on the individual. The media is largely responsible for the dissemination of misinformation regarding different cultures.

On September 10th and September 16th, two Sacramento State organizations, Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity and Unique, sponsored different events at Joe Serna Plaza,to celebrate Mexican Independence.

As the cultural diverse campus population walked by and observed the mariachis, I took note that people were unaware of the actual meaning of the festivities. Some had no idea this was the true celebration of Mexican Independence.

Gina Azzarello, a student, knew that the event celebrated Mexican culture because she was exposed to Mexican folk dancing, cascarones (hollow eggs with confetti centers that are broken in celebration), and “pan dulce” or sweet bread.

I found it funny that some thought that Cinco de Mayo was being celebrated in the middle of September.

The 16th of September marks the start of the battle for Mexican independence from Spain in 1810. This is similar to our 4th of July. Cinco de Mayo, on the other hand, is unheard of in non-tourist Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo is an American commercial invention that was developed by beer companies in order to increase sales.

The real Cinco de Mayo celebrates a small victory of the peasants of Puebla over the French in 1863.

Cinco de Mayo has little to do with Mexican Independence and more to do with getting drunk.

I picked up on this a few years ago while working for a major American brewing company.

The marketing strategies were directed at college students.

The tactic overemphasized a stereotype that Mexicans party and drink heavily on Cinco de Mayo.

Almost anything imaginable in a consumer market could be connected to a scheme based on stereotypes.

Even the war on Iraq was sold by telling us Iraqis are terrorists.

Here at home, Proposition 54 is going to appear on an upcoming ballot as an attempt to eradicate racism.

But in reality, further ignorance will take shape. Stereotyping will remain an issue.

The smartest way to deal with the racial conflict is to learn about each other.

We might actual know what holiday we are toasting.

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