While it is important to understand and accept one's own ethnic and cultural background, it is more important to aspire to personal excellence and achievement. (JD)

Argues that genetics, as popularized in "The Bell Curve" (Herrnstein and Murray, 1994), does not affect educational attainment and personal development, but environmental upheavals do. The environmental changes that effect educational and personal development are highlighted. It cautions that works involving pseudoscience, like "The…

One way in which theorists have attempted to understand the differences in identity and attitudes of minority groups, and more recently majority groups, has been through theories of racial identity development. In this study factor analysis was applied to J. E. Helms' models of racial identity development: the Black Racial Identity Attitude Scale,…

Forty University of Toledo Teacher Corps interns (23 black and 17 white) were asked to respond to a Rokeach Value Survey on the first day of regular classes, at the end of the year, and at the end of the program. The objective was to examine what significant value changes, if any, took place during the program. Results are assessed according to…

The special problems faced by black women in sports and in American society are discussed. Ways of bringing about change in social attitudes and in interaction between the races and the sexes are considered. Special emphasis is placed on the need to develop a sense of worth and an understanding of the basic social structures which breed racial and…

Bernie Bickerstaff discusses how growing up as an African-American athlete in rural Kentucky prepared him to become the general manager of the Denver Nuggets. Triumphing over the area's racial segregation, poverty, and mining perils gave him a sense of strength that enabled him to overcome barriers in advancing his career. (LP)

The author's experience of discovering his own ethnocentrism is described. Factors which helped him process feelings, learn from mistakes, and move forward are discussed. The challenge of dealing with various people, culturally different from oneself, who may react in different ways for different reasons is discussed. (EMK)

The author recounts personal experiences with socio-politically structured racism, especially in education and religion; and the growth gained in confronting this nemesis. A career ranging from pastor to counselor to counselor educator has brought understanding of the link between religion, education, and counseling and a commitment to…

Racial identity is important in a person's identity. The author's experiences growing up a working-class White among Blacks and working on an all-Black project are recounted. What it is to be an ally in the racial struggle is discussed, and ideas for counseling students of color are provided. (EMK)

The society and the counseling profession are in a curious and confused period that envelopes a great racial divide alongside a greater racial understanding. Counselor educators want to be part of the solution. This personal narrative recounts experiences and understandings the author has gained of racism. (EMK)

The eighteen essays are written by educators, sociologists, and psychologists based upon studies conducted between 1964 and 1966 pertaining to racially caused educational inequalities in Northern Urban cities. The authors express the idea that educational quality can be improved more by desegregation of public schools than by curriculum or other…

Self concept is deeply intertwined with one's racial socialization. Two incidents are recounted as turning points in this counselor educator's self-perception as a person having a racial identity and to her career development. Coping mechanisms are described. A safe atmosphere is essential to the exploration of feelings about race. (EMK)

The background, rationale, and framework of the multicultural competencies documents are discussed. Central concepts include development of awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases; understanding the worldview of the culturally different client; and developing appropriate intervention strategies and techniques. Operationalization is…