Zombie Apocalypse 101: Rituals and Stereotypes

Assignment 1-4-3: Written Analyses 2 (Rituals and Stereotypes)

If you have never heard the term “Zombie” in recent times, then you may be a bit behind the times. If you are, consider this a Zombie Apocalypse 101 course set on informing you of the basics of how heroes survive such an occurrence, the rituals present-day zombie apocalypse believers and survivalists utilize, and the stereotypes given to believers and zombies alike. 

Since the first feature zombie film White Zombie in 1932, there have been humans planning and fighting for survival against the undead. In every film thereon, reanimated corpses (typical zombie behavior or stereotype) shuffle around a town, preying and feeding on humans that insights panic among the townsfolk. The stereotypical hero (or two) emerges from the community, becomes quite resourceful, and ultimately saves the people of the town. They use survival techniques to stay alive. This same apocalyptic scenario, or ritual, has been repeated in numerous films to the present day, and has made the future zombie takeover quite real for some believers.

Within the zombie apocalyptic-culture of today, those who believe in the coming of the zombies participate in ritualistic behavior to prepare for the apocalypse. Those rituals include:

1. daily target practice—you never know when you may have to kill a zombie; 
2. stockpiling food and water—you will want to eat and drink reasonably when food sources are depleted; 
3. running and exercising—of course, when a zombie chases you, you’ll want to run; 
4. evacuation drills—everyone must be prepared when it’s time to find a way out; and 
5. safeguarding your home or ‘bunker’ against zombies—you don’t want them to get inside. 

Given all of these rituals, apocalypse believers have been labeled, or stereotyped. On the negative side, they are typically labeled as being fanatics, paranoid and over-zealous. On a positive note, believers are resourceful, prepared and organized—many qualities ordinary people do not possess. 

From attaching ritualistic behavior to the zombie films and also to current-day apocalypse believers, I have gained a better understanding of why rituals are so important to many people. The rituals validate their beliefs, whether others agree with them or not. Stereotypes given to groups of individuals can show them in a bad way, as well as in a good light.