Post 170: How To Ensure Fairness of Multicultural Content

Post 170) How To Ensure Fairness of Multicultural Content Part I

Avoid tokenism

Integrate topics about under-represented groups like contributions of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans to the many wars and other historical events seamlessly with over-represented groups like European Americans. Make it one seamless historical story for the students. Do not reserve talking about minority groups only for special holidays or special months like African American month or Asian American month, instead, just talk about under-represented groups as much as you would talk about European Americans when teaching American history or American Literature.

Make sure you are not supporting stereotypes

As you teach about the history of Asian Americans, Native Americans or African Americans, make sure you are not supporting the stereotypes of these groups.  For instance, when teaching Asian culture, do not just say, that 'All Asian cultures believe in 'group think' and that all Asian cultures are collective societies'. This is a stereotype. In fact, Asian cultures are all different and diverse just like European cultures are all different and diverse.

Ask yourself the question: Are you supporting or challenging the stereotype that American culture is Eurocentric, white male centric, Christian-centric, heterocentric and upper white middle class centric? Are you representing all perspectives from all points of view?

Have multicultural students re-write a Euro-centric history book from their point of view

If you have a classroom of students from many countries/cultures, take advantage of that richness! Have students re-write an old Eurocentric history book from their point of view. For instance, if you have a Native American student in your class, have him/her rewrite, "Christopher Columbus discovered America." "The pioneers triumphantly spread across the American West." How would a Native American view these events? Would he use the word 'triumphantly' or 'tragically' to represent the fate of Native American peoples? You will be surprised at the results!

Before using instructional materials, check for bias. 

As you do your classroom prep to find various materials for your class in magazines, newspapers etc..make sure the articles are complete and free of bias. Does the material assume a heterosexual couple? middle class lifestyle? racist stereotypes of minorities?