Stereotypes, World Wide

I believe stereotypes are so widely known because people always have an opinion. Not only is stereotypes opinion based but some were made long ago, meaning some of our people today (elderly) were probably taught this by their parents or passed down, like a legend. For instance the stereotype that all white people are racist, that may have been for some time but things change, my best friend is white and she is not a racist. But I think stereotypes are just word of mouth and talk travels quickly no matter how true or untrue it is.