Preface

     In the reading "In the Air Between", Claude M. Steele speaks about the idea of "stereotype threat" and how it affects people's academic and professional success, especially when it comes to race and gender. Steele says that people are often aware of negative stereotypes about their group. When they encounter these stereotypes in school or at work, they may feel anxious or face other problems.

     Steele proves, through a study in this reading, that African American students were not only more aware of these stereotypes than white students, but African American students scores were also viewed and treated differently from their white peers. 

    Racist stereotypes can have a big effect on how children grow up and how well they do in life. By internalizing negative stereotypes, young children can develop biases and prejudices against certain racial groups, which can lead to discriminatory attitudes and behaviors later in life. This can make people who are stereotyped feel left out and isolated, and it can also slow down the social and intellectual growth of children who hold these biases.

There once was a little girl named Brionna. Brionna loved to play with dolls during play time at school. Brionna had darker skin than the other kids in her elementary school. She would often get left out of group activities or have to play by herself. 

The kids would point out Brionna's differences, like her skin tone and hair texture. A white girl in Brionna's class, named Sally, sometimes touches Brionna's hair without her permission and it makes Brionna uncomfortable. 

During playtime one afternoon, Brionna was playing with one of the school's dolls, when Jeremy came up to Brionna. Brionna looked up from her doll and said, "Hi Jeremy! Do you want to play with me and my doll?" 

Jeremy gave Brionna a glare and said, "That doll doesn't look like you. You shouldn't be playing with it." and with that, Jeremy yanked the doll out of Brionna's hand and walked away.

Brionna sat stunned for a moment, unsure what to do. She could find another doll to play with, but none of them looked like her either. She was scared that if she chose another doll, that one would get taken too.

At the end of playtime, the teacher announces that tomorrow there will be a Show and Tell. "Alright girls and boys, start to clean up and put away your toys. Tomorrow during playtime, we will have a show and tell. Bring a special item from home to share with the class. You will also have an opportunity during playtime to share your item with other classmates."

Brionna decides right then that for show and tell she will be bringing in her favorite doll to play with, one that does look like her. 

The next day, at the beginning of playtime the teacher reminded the students of show and tell. “Alright kids, it’s time to pull out your items for show and tell. Let’s gather in the share circle to share our items!”

Brionna reached in her backpack and pulled out her favorite doll. The doll had brown skin and very curly hair, like Brionna. When it came time for Brionna to share her doll, she held it up in the air for everyone to see and announced that this doll was her favorite to play with because it looked the most like her.

Some of the kids “oohed” and “aahed”, but some of the kids began to snicker or whisper in each other’s ears. Brionna, seeing this reaction, quickly pulled the doll out of the air and back into her lap, appearing sad. 

"Ooh"

"Haha"

Brionna wasn’t the only one to notice the snickering and whispering, her teacher did as well. “Alright now kids, remember, the only way we can do show and tell is if everyone respects and is kind to each other, and to each other’s items! If you don’t have something nice to share, keep it to yourself!”

At the end of show and tell, the teacher announced that the kids were allowed to play freely, with their own items or by sharing with one another. Jeremy was the first to approach Brionna about her doll, and almost instantly yanked it out of her hands again.

Brionna looked at Jeremy confused. "But this doll looks like me! Why are you taking this one too?" Jeremy responds simply, "Because it is bad." Jeremy then runs away with the doll and throws it in the trash.

The teacher notices this, and pulls Jeremy aside. The teacher gives Jeremy a time out, and retrieves the doll from the trash.