Reshaping Bedside Manner in a Diverse World

Reshaping Bedside Manner in a Diverse World: "The scheduling snafus at Bailey's, a storefront facility off busy Route 50, dramatize the challenges that a diverse population poses to doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals. Bridging that cultural gulf has become a top priority of the medical universe because much of the health care system remains ill-prepared. The result can be inadequate care and, in extreme cases, can risk lives."

Use the link to read the entire article.

'Gifted' Label Takes a Vacation in Diversity Quest

'Gifted' Label Takes a Vacation in Diversity Quest: "'Gifted' Label Takes a Vacation in Diversity Quest

By Lori Aratani
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 22, 2006; Page B01

Middle school magnet programs in Montgomery County have traditionally operated as schools within schools, offering specialized curriculum to a few select students -- who have been mostly Asian and white.

But this fall, educators decided to try a different approach. Instead of selecting a few hundred students for traditional school magnets, officials opened magnet programs at three middle schools to everyone."

Use the link to read the entire article.

Farmers Insurance - Freedom's Song

Farmers Insurance - Freedom's Song: "Freedom’s Song:
100 years of African-American struggle and triumph

Farmers has joined with The Association for the Study of African American Life and History to create a documentary film, Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph, that highlights significant milestones in the history of the African-American experience during the past century. It includes living testimonials designed to put a personal face on the actual historical events featured in the film.

The Freedom’s Song package is free to educators and includes a DVD copy of the film, engaging and thought-provoking lesson plans and an interactive web site that will be continually updated with audio and video content."

Use the link to get more information.

CNN.com - Is your company diverse enough? - Feb 20, 2006

CNN.com - Is your company diverse enough? - Feb 20, 2006: "Is your company diverse enough? As the U.S. work force evolves, this question has never held more importance to workers or employers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2008, women and minorities will make up 70 percent of all new entrants to the work force. Today, the nation's work force is already nearly 48 percent female, 14 percent black, 11 percent Hispanic and 5 percent Asian/Pacific islander, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission."

Use the link to read the entire article.

A Bitter Pill for Md. Immigrants

A Bitter Pill for Md. Immigrants: "When the State Cut Health Care Coverage for Some Recent Arrivals, They Were Left to Watch Their Children Suffer as They Searched for Help

By Mary Otto
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 17, 2006; Page B01

Seldom does a budget cut help cripple a child.

Yet when Maryland cut $7 million last year and eliminated health care coverage for some recent immigrants, surgery was canceled on Eelaaf Zahid's malformed hip. Now, as her family looks to the courts and other state programs for help, an outgrown medical device implanted in her hip three years ago protrudes from her small body. The Glen Burnie kindergartener walks with a limp."

Use the link to read the entire article.

CNN.com - Harvard study blasts Bush education policy - Feb 16, 2006

CNN.com - Harvard study blasts Bush education policy - Feb 16, 2006: "BOSTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) -- President Bush's No Child Left Behind education policy has in some cases benefited white middle-class children over blacks and other minorities in poorer regions, a Harvard University study showed Tuesday.

Political compromises forged between some states and the federal government have allowed schools in some predominantly white districts to dodge penalties faced by regions with larger ethnic minority populations, the study said."

Use the link to read the entire story.

CNN.com - Struggle to get�black history�into classrooms - Feb 9, 2006

CNN.com - Struggle to get�black history�into classrooms - Feb 9, 2006: "PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (AP) -- Assemblyman William Payne recalls the first book he heard as a kindergartner in the 1940s, and never forgot the black stereotypes that filled the 19th century children's story.

'You grow up with these subliminal messages that everything good is white,' Payne recalled, his words bubbling forth with angry urgency. 'It is so hurtful that these things were sanctioned by the Board of Education.'"

Use the link to read the entire article.

Two Immigrants, Two Standards

Two Immigrants, Two Standards: "Two Immigrants, Two Standards

By Stacy Caplow and Lauren Kosseff
Saturday, February 11, 2006; Page A19

We recently learned that U.S. immigration policy is, in fact, capable of fast action and flexibility. It just depends on who the immigrant is.

In December Congress speedily passed special immigration legislation to benefit just one person: an ice dancer. As a Canadian, she couldn't join the 2006 U.S. Olympics team. But a law was written that lasted exactly two days, long enough for her to be fast-tracked for citizenship and sent to compete for the United States.


Around the same time, we at the Safe Harbor Project at Brooklyn Law School received notice that the U.S. immigration system had denied entry to Teresa, a 14-year-old African girl who has been stranded as a refugee in Guinea almost all her life. She is trying to join her adoptive mother, Momara (no real names are used here, as is generally practiced with asylum), a refugee from Sierra Leone who was granted asylum in the United States. But in this girl's case, there is no fast track, only the rigid application of a procedural rule."

Use the link to read the entire article.