Media That Matters: Something Other Than Other

Quick Facts:
Social scientists believe children begin to acquire prejudices and stereotypes as toddlers.  Many studies have shown that as early as age 3, children pick up terms of racial prejudice without really understanding their significance.  Soon, they begin to form attachments to their own group and develop negative attitudes about other racial or ethnic groups (Tolerance.org).

Multiracial children are one of the fastest growing segments of the US population, due to a rise in interracial marriages and relationships, as well as an increase in transracial and international adoptions.  About two million American children have parents of different races (AACAP).

1. Have you ever been asked to define your race or ethnicity?  How did it make you feel?  Do you think people should be asked to define themselves by these criteria?  Why or why not?

2. Applicants for a U.S. social security card can only select one race.  When else are individuals asked to report on their race or ethnicity?  How is this information used by governmental and non-governmental organizations?

3. Do you feel like people are judged based on their race?  What can you do to make your school or community more accepting of individuals who do not fit into a single racial or ethnic category?

4. In Something Other Than Other, music, narration and multiple images are layered into every frame.  What do you think these juxtapositions achieve?