Reviews how the popular stereotypes of American Indians have changed since the colonization of North America. Once seen as noble savages by European settlers, the popular stereotypes changed to become less and less positive as colonization advanced. Urges teachers to vigorously challenge the stereotypes and negative images. (JDH)

Evaluates the usage of five concepts in the study of Islamic and world history that serve to perpetuate the image of Islamic civilization as the Other: (1) Middle East; (2) East and West; (3) Judaic-Christian heritage; (4) Islamic fundamentalism; and (5) jihad. Argues for replacing these concepts. (CMK)

Traits attributed to deaf people may not reflect their true characteristics, but the paternalistic posture of hearing experts. The attributions reveal paternalistic universals, paternalistic parallax, paternalistic ethnocentrism, and economic self-interest. Research flaws in test administration, test language, and test scoring are identified.…

Racism, discrimination, and prejudice are typically viewed from the perspective of the disadvantaged ethnic minority, but another approach is to address the advantages of whites. There is one culture that is usually invisible to whites, and that is "whiteness." To grow up white is to be the focal point from which others differ. Whites…

Many universities promote cultural awareness by directly teaching sensitivity toward cultural diversity. Because students tend to be somewhat ethnocentric, which is not consonant with the display of culturally tolerant attitudes, multicultural education can help them acquire more tolerant attitudes. The paper describes the influence of a course in…

Efforts to ban the "Little House on the Prairie" series because of racist depictions of American Indians seem a knee-jerk reaction to a complex text. Teachers can use the books to develop an appreciation of American Indians and their history and to promote understanding of the disparate and conflicting attitudes of the nation when the…

Explores and criticizes the negative image of Islamic culture often fostered by Western media. Briefly considers the career, contributions, and example of Yusuf Islam (the former Cat Stevens). Includes a list of common misconceptions about Islam followed by corrective information. (MJP)

This collection of essays, condensed from papers presented at a meeting organized by UNICEF's International Child Development Centre on"Discrimination against Children and Families of Minority Groups and Indigenous Peoples," (Florence, Italy, February 1994) focuses on discriminatory situations of indigenous and minority groups.…

Maintains that negative stereotypes of Arabs permeate U.S. popular culture. Discusses Arab stereotypes among educators and the effects of stereotyping on Arab American students. Describes efforts used in the Dearborn, MI, schools to eliminate stereotypes and integrate into the curriculum the study of Arab culture. (CFR)