Blanket statements about Americans, Iraqis, Europeans or whatever are no different than saying all black people are car thieves.
Generalizations have been unnecessarily demonized, but they do serve a well defined purpose and theyhave a reason (and basis) to exist. Even though one should always keep in mind that exceptions are out there, the general behavior of a group of people, race, or animals can be observed and based on that, something can be expected from them.
For example, let's suppose that one is walking down the street when all of a sudden three dogs sitting on the sidewalk can be seen. Two dogs belong to the Rottweiler race and the other one is a Doberman. What to do? The most likely scenario would find the person who wants to go further crossing to the other side of the street in order to continue the journey.
It can be easily seen that such a behavior could be very well described as generalizing. The dogs could have been the most peacful and tame animals in the world, or maybe just one of them was, or two, or... well, the point is made I guess. Yet, perhaps those dogs would have behaved as they generally do when they are trying to protect something, and would have ripped to pieces the person that tried to get by them.
Generalizations exist for a reason, and it's up to the individual to know when to use a wiser judgemnet to find an exceptional case.
