dead white males. Shouldnt children admire exceptional people in the world around them? Arent these the figures that will inspire our children, more than any literary figure? And, to these figures I issue a challenge: Show children, by example, that they exist in a world so much bigger than they could ever imagine. Show them that they can be anything, no matter who they are. Show the little white boys that women are to be respected and that other cultures offer just as much insight into their lives as our own. Lead children into college with a multicultural perspective. Dont shelter them from all but male American influences while assuring them that once they get to college their minds will be expanded to new ideas and cultures. University education should be an extension of, not a replacement for, grade and high school education.I think that, in general, we are on the road to a more openminded society. Children and young adults are more accepting than their parents and their grandparents, and I think if we encourage and appreciate this trend, it will continue on to their children. But, it is not the case in all families, and even if it were, family is only one of the influences in a childs life. As they get older, they are increasingly influenced by outside factors, such as school, the media and culture. We need to encourage children and open their minds with all the tools we have available to us as a society. Children are the ones that will make up the bulk of the influential population in twenty years. Broadening their horizons is broadening the futures horizons as well. As we change the way our society views women and minorities, as they are embraced as equals, we will start to see literary works of the same caliber, if not better than the works encompassed by the traditional canon. Then, we will be on the road to having a more diverse university education. ...
