This is a false dilemma. Stereotypes come from something, sure - but they don't necessarily come from accurate characteristics of the race. They may come from one of the many cultures that makes up the race. (As a child of immigrants from south India whose family has been Christian longer than Europe has been Christian, I have some opinions on your conflation of race and culture.) They may come from some particular subculture that happens to be interacting with the people forming the stereotype. They may come from what is essentially propaganda - national myths, folklore, religious traditions, etc. that reflected an older culture that people find useful to claim an identification with, but may not accurately represent any people. They may come from propaganda by the people forming the stereotype, as in the case of the "model minority" stereotype in the US. They may come from the reaction of the culture or the race to living under oppression by the people forming the stereotype, and not reflect the natural tendencies of the people if given their freedom. (For instance, the stereotype of Jews as greedy can be traced pretty directly to the old Christian prohibition - now seemingly forgotten - on lending money with interest, which left the profitable and necessary job of banking essentially reserved for whatever visible non-Christian cultural minority happened to be in Europe, regardless of any traits of that culture other than happening not to have such a prohibition.) They may come from accurate traits of the race or culture from a generation or two ago that are no longer accurate. There are lots of options here that you seem to be dismissing.