Bias in Textbooks
Davidson, J.W. And Stoff, M.B. (2010) America: History of Our Nation. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
The objective of this work is to review a K-12 textbook in terms of the seven forms of bias which include: (1) invisibility; (2) stereotyping; (3) imbalance and selectivity; (4) unreality; (5) fragmentation and isolation; (6) linguistic bias; and (7) cosmetic bias. Toward this end this work has chosen to relate the review of a textbook published by Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey entitled "America: History of Our Nation."
Invisibility
The invisibility bias is clear in Davidson and Stoffmans' (2010) textbook characterized by the lack of representation of women characters in the recounting of the history of the early Americas. Certainly, the women who assisted in settling the 'new land' should be mentioned as their role in this endeavor certainly was one of a critically important nature however, women are little mentioned in the historical accounts in this specific textbook. Also invisible in Davidson and Stoff's work are the women and white southerners who contributed positively to live in general and to dispelling the mindset that propelled such bias respectively.
II. Stereotyping
Stereotyping is clearly evidenced in this textbook and specifically on pages 876 and 877 in which it is stated "Many white southerners were adverse to segregation" which is an absolute perfect example of stereotyping white southerners during the time that desegregation was a current and heated issue. Many southerners can recall the stories of a husband, father, grandfather or other family member who served...
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