Goals:

1. To prepare students to write an editorial
2. To encourage students to examine sources on a controversial issue
3. To encourage students to listen to other views and respond to them
4. To provide opportunities for students to discuss and to think critically about current events and issues
5. To develop skills in supporting one's opinion with facts and examples

Procedures

1. Read the attached article by Henry Mok. NOTE: This exercise is linked to an an online Chicago Tribune article, "Asian Americans Rising above Stereotypes after a Century of Progress." The article has since been archived and is available for $1.95 at their Web site -- www.chicagotribune.com. Or, you may prefer to revise this activity to link to an article currently on the site.

2. What is the main idea of the article?

3. How are facts and figures used in the article? How do these contribute to the strength of the article?

4. What are some misconceptions of Chinese and Chinese Americans as identified by the writer?

5. Think about your own school population. Who are considered minorities in your school? What are some misconceptions about these minorities (as well as misconceptions about your own ethnic group)?

6. How are these groups portrayed in the media?

7. What are possible effects of these misconceptions in the media?

8. Have you ever witnessed or experienced discrimination of an ethnic minority?

9. One source quoted in the article supports affirmative action for Chinese. Do you agree that this is a wise policy? Why or why not?

10. What should be the government's role in ensuring equal opportunity for people of all ethnic backgrounds?

11. What should be the individual citizen's role in ensuring equal opportunity for people of all ethnic backgrounds?

12. Write an editorial in response to this article. What facts and figures and examples can you find to support your argument?