I developed the Colorful Flags Human Relations Module in August 1993 as an experiment in multicultural education. The problem in multicultural education in the past is that it was nonexistent. We are suffering the consequences of that lack of education today, as many adults are unprepared to live in a culturally diverse society. The problem of muticultural education today is that it is too passive. Many of the multicultural approaches do not involve social interaction.
Many approach fail to encourage students to engage proactively in cultural learning.
The problems of racism, stereotyping, and ethnocentrism are too serious to implement a passive multicultural curriculum. Schools need a stronger intervention, one that is proactive. Moreover, we cannot simply add one unit that deals with different cultures. Adding an additional unit to a curriculum does not reduce racism, stereotyping, or ethnocentrism, nor does this approach empower culturally diverse students. Students need to be taught aspects of different cultures that create appreciation and empathy.