Ask an expert: How to help students celebrate diversity

September 28, 2000
Web posted at: 12:23 PM EDT (1623 GMT)

By Bel Hernandez

Question: In areas where there is friction between Latinos and other groups, what are some ways students can become more accepting of different cultures? How can we help students celebrate, rather than reject, diversity?

Answer: When kids start in kindergarten, there are very few prejudices. They are accepting of everyone. Somewhere along the way, the adult prejudices come into play. Maybe we need to start there.

As for students who come into the system a little older, again I believe that learning about each other's cultures is helpful. I don't mean just about what they eat and their holidays; I mean learning about their poets, actors, writers, politicians and children -- learning not from traditional textbooks, which often leave out significant contributions by other cultures, but from special interest magazines and literature.

For smaller children, I think watching Nickelodeon is good. Here you see children from all different ethnic backgrounds interacting with no problem whatsoever. Hopefully this will carry over through adulthood and beyond.

For older students, pointing out the ethnic backgrounds of some of their favorite singers and sports figures, and learning about how they got where they are, can be a source of pride for them if they happen to be of the same ethnic background. This method works if there is inclusiveness of every ethnic group represented in the classroom.

There is a tendency to include just African-Americans and think that diversity is covered. This is not the case. Latinos, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific, Koreans -- all need their time in the spotlight. Finally, it is essential to let everyone realize that we are all citizens of this nation, and we all belong here.

After dealing with stereotypes and media misrepresentations of Latinos for 20 years, Bel Hernandez co-founded Latin Heat, a magazine dedicated to addressing the issues of Latino actors and a source of information for Latinos wishing to enter the entertainment industry.