NCJ Number
158615
Date Published
1994
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video, accompanied by a study guide for users, is one of five videos designed to increase awareness of cultural diversity among those who work with African-Americans, Asian/Pacific-Americans, Chicano/Latino-Americans, and Native- Americans; this video focuses on the nature of multiculturalism in America, the bias of the dominant culture that discriminates against and belittles minority cultures, and how children can be taught to respect cultural differences and emphasize common bonds.
Abstract
The format for the video consists of comments and insights by representatives of various institutions and agencies in American society regarding the fact of multiculturalism in the United States and how children and societal institutions must adapt to this fact. Various teachers explain curricula and teaching methods they use with children to help them understand and be less threatened by differences in appearance, values, attitudes, and behaviors in a multicultural society, school, and classroom. Comments, narration, and visual portrayals also address the tendency of the dominant white European culture to discriminate against and demean those whose appearance, values, and behaviors stem from another cultural background. The video's emphasis is upon becoming aware of cultural differences among us, gaining an understanding of them, and adapting our individual and institutional behaviors to reflect an acceptance of these differences. The study guide provides material and guidelines for using the video in a training program. For other videos in the series, see NCJ-158616-19.