Describes an ethnic collection development conference held in California that focused on how librarians can meet the needs of the growing numbers of ethnic and racial minorities. Topics discussed include library management; sources of reviews for ethnic titles; selection criteria; acquisitions procedures; cataloging practices; subject heading…

Parents and teachers can help children accept diversity in others by looking at their own beliefs and recognizing subtle stereotypes. Children will be influenced negatively by society if adults do not deliberately intervene to help create positive attitudes toward all people. Five strategies for helping change childrens' misconceptions are…

Examines Chinese-American author M. H. Kingston's book "The Woman Warrior" and the controversy and literary response to it. Discusses the dilemma of the "ethnic" writer and other issues including the use of literary license and social documentation and tensions between historical and experiential authenticity. (JB)

Traditional rhymes and folktales can offer understanding of our customs and culture but also contain elements that can raise obstacles to the academic and social development of young children, especially those from other cultures. Consider the following when evaluating traditional literature: meaningful language, unintentional promotion of…

American Indians are regularly cited as models by and for Europeans. On closer examination, these "Indians" turn out to be a fictional assemblage fabricated over the past five centuries to serve specific cultural and emotional needs of its inventors. Studies changing representations of the Indian as used by European cultures. (AF)

Two films, the fictional "Thunderheart" and the documentary "Incident at Oglala," demonstrate that Hollywood can sometimes portray the ethnic conflicts of Native Americans accurately. Both explain the ambivalent relationship with the dominant society that Native Americans have chosen through their refusal to be patronized. (SLD)

Explores how difficult it is for a non-Indian to obtain an accurate view of American Indians. Helping professionals are not immune; they also have absorbed the views of the dominant culture. The author's work with the Oglala Lakota people of South Dakota illustrates the difficulties that therapists face. (SLD)

Investigates 50 children's books set in West Africa and discusses 13 titles in-depth to examine how West Africa is portrayed in fiction for children and young adults. Suggests that white authors tend to portray West African culture as "incomplete," while black authors depict the culture as "pure" and untainted. Argues that…

Investigated the relationships between perceived ethnic injustices and processes of psychological disengagement among White, African American, and Hispanic American college students, examining perceived ethnic injustice and academic performance as predictors of devaluing and discounting. Student surveys indicated that broader beliefs about social…

Racial stereotypes and discrimination have destroyed many bright futures by limiting the possibilities of people of color in America. Describes two initiatives that can be implemented in schools in order to help destroy negative images of race and reconstruct a more healthy foundation to build on: multiculturalism across the curriculum and…

Social pressure to avoid "acting White" was explored for high school students in Toledo (Ohio) in schools of differing racial compositions. Thirty-eight high school students, most of whom were Black or Mexican American and 28 of whom were participants in a scholarship incentive program for high-achieving minority students called Toledo…

Sixty-nine School Journals, magazines for New Zealand students from 7 to 13 years old, were surveyed to examine the representation of ethnic groups and cultures. The magazine issues from 1979 and 1987-1990 featured 760 items (e.g., stories, articles, poems, songs, and plays) were analyzed for the activities, languages, roles, age, and gender of…

One of seven multicultural, nonsexist activity guides related to language arts, this guide offers a variety of teacher-devloped activities for instruction in grammar. The activities, which are presented in ascending order of grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade, are designed to develop grammar skills while exploring themes related to…

The traditional cultural values and changing attitudes of Puerto Rican families are examined in this literature review. Puerto Rican families are "enmeshed" in their relationships due to the pervasive influence of the extended family system, it is argued. In a review of migration patterns, first from Europe to Puerto Rico, and subsequently to the…

This teaching guide, produced in cooperation with Indian parents, students and teachers, offers classroom material on the complex culture and history of American Indians. The guide suggests youngsters be taught that, contrary to stereotypes, there was a wide variation of Indian tribal groups and cultures in North America. A list of 14…