Little on screen will prepare them for the diverse world into which they are growing. Study after study shows that TV can be a powerful tool in teaching tolerance and understanding, but, all too often, it doesn't take advantage of that opportunity. The networks and other programmers have made some significant changes. Many of the negative stereotypes, including roles that Tony Plana is sick of having, have been eradicated. And, interestingly enough, when the networks do launch ethnic shows, they often receive criticism instead of acclaim.
More progress is needed, however.
Writen by Shawn Doherty and Nadine Joseph. Reproduced from a report on the 1995 conference on Children and the Media, sponsored by Children Now, cosponsored by Stanford University and the UCLA Center for Communication Policy. Reprinted with permission from Children Now.