American Ethnicity and Pluralism
1. What are the issues that make the celebration of Columbus Day controversial in the New World? What is your personal view about the activities and impact of Christopher Columbus in the Western Hemisphere?
2. In general terms, describe the historic realities of Native American life versus the stereotypes developed by White Americans about this group. Why do you think such a gap existed (perhaps still exists) between the perceptions of non-Native Americans and Native Americans concerning the cultures of these first Americans?
3. What historical factors contributed to giving the European colonists of what is now the United States such racist views? How much progress do you think has been made in racial/ethnic relations in the U.S. over the years?
4.How has slavery and its history impacted the development of the United States, even to the present day?
5. What factors contributed to the success of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s in moving toward greater equality and opportunity for all Americans?
6. Describe the concept of “race,” and explain why it has been called a “social construction.” How scientific is “race,” and for what purposes has categorization of people into “races” often been used?
7. What do you see as the benefits and the challenges of living in an ethnically diverse and pluralistic society such as we find in the United States?
8. Briefly discuss the importance of the two landmark civil rights cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 – Brown vs. Board of Education and Hernandez vs. Texas.
9. Over the next 50 years, what are your predictions for the U.S. when it comes to issues of race, diversity, and multiculturalism? What role can teachers have in helping to shape the future in these areas?
10. Discuss something important that you have learned in this course that you may be able to use in your role as a parent and/or teacher.
