How can you spot bias, stereotypes, and myths about underrepresented groups in books and other media?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Look at the illustrations for stereotypes. Are underrepresented-group faces depicted as genuine individuals? Look for stereotypes. In friendships between white children and children of color, is it the child of color who does most of the understanding and forgiving? Is a particular problem that is faced by a person of color resolved through the benevolent intervention of a white person?
Are the achievements of girls and women based on their own initiative and intelligence or due to their good looks or relationships with boys or men? If a nonwhite group is depicted as "different," are negative value judgments implied? Do the whites in the story possess the power, take the leadership, and make the important decisions? Do people of color and females function in essentially supporting roles? Are there minorities, women, and heroes with disabilities? When underrepresented group heroes do appear, are they only admired because what they have done has benefited white people? Are norms established that limit the child's aspirations and selfconcepts? Watch for "loaded" words. Look at the copyright date.