Understanding Human Differences Multicultural Education for a Diverse America 5th by Kent L. Koppelman

Understanding Human Differences Multicultural Education for a Diverse America 5th by Kent L. Koppelman – ISBN 10: 0133949842?0133960560?0134044312 – ISBN 13: 9780133949841?9780133960563?9780134044316 – Why Do We Need to Understand Diversity? – Americans live in the most racially, ethnically, and socially diverse country on earth. – Yet too often we live, work, and play as if our own social, gender, or religious group – is the only one that matters. To enjoy the advantages of our national diversity, it is – necessary that Americans seek as many facts and consider as many issues as possible to – enhance their ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse groups. This – book is not a collection of essays providing multiple perspectives on diversity?there – are many books that already do that; instead, this book uses research to examine – problems, perceptions, misperceptions, and the potential benefits of the diversity that – exists in the United States. Understanding diversity is obviously a prerequisite for becoming – an individual who values the diversity in American society. – If we are to value and respect the diversity represented by different groups in the – United States, we can begin by learning how to value and respect opinions that differ – from our own. It is not necessary to agree with everything a person might say, but it – is necessary that when we disagree, we are able to express disagreement based upon – a consideration of all available information and within a context of mutual respect. – The issues this book addresses are not new: Human beings have struggled with – them in one form or another for centuries, as illustrated by the quotations from individuals – of different eras that appear in each chapter. The quotations are not placed – randomly in the text, but near a section of text that relates to each one. For example, – near the section in Chapter 2 addressing the confusion about positive prejudices and – explaining why prejudices are always negative, the quotation by Charles Lamb suggests – that prejudices involve ?likings and dislikings.? Because Lamb was a respected – writer of his era, his confusion about some prejudices being positive was not based – on a lack of education or intellectual ability, but instead illustrates how ancient this – misperception is. – Since the first edition of Understanding Human Differences was published, the rights – of various minority groups in the United States have become common topics for debate. – For example, the term marriage has now become a legislative and judicial football, – and American perceptions about how we differ from one another have changed – in many ways. Students used to come to diversity classes oblivious of the issues, but – that is less likely now, even though many diversity topics are still misunderstood.