This book draws on findings from a 2-year study that followed ten children with Down syndrome (ages 3-10) across 13 classrooms and accounts of high-school aged students with Down syndrome, in order to provide a detailed picture of schooling, Down syndrome, and disability. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the contrasting cultural images of…

The history and current use of the label "Hispanic" are discussed in this exploration of the myth of cultural and national homogeneity among people of Latin American descent in the United States. The historical process of labeling groups of individuals is discussed, and how ethnic labels affect the meaning of citizenship and the struggle…

This book explores the questions that arise as a result of the increasing awareness in U.S. society about equality issues. The book suggests that it is vitally important that children be alerted to the ways in which literature may convey prejudice. It is not possible, and it may not even be desirable, to insulate children from any possible…

The model minority image of Asian Americans authorizes the flat denial of racism and structures of racial dominance and silences those who are not economically successful. This book explores how young people incorporate, interpret, and make meaning of the "model minority" stereotype in the context of their lived experience in school and…

The preponderance of scholarly theory and research on stereotypes assumes that they are bad and inaccurate, but understanding stereotype accuracy and inaccuracy is more interesting and complicated than simpleminded accusations of racism or sexism would seem to imply. The selections in this collection explore issues of the accuracy of stereotypes…