Mennonite
Central
Committee

Some children's books fail social harmony test, says scholarship recipient

Gladys Terichow
July 5, 2006

This year's recipient of the Canadian Japanese-Mennonite Scholarship is examining existing multicultural books and their effect on learning experiences.

"Unfortunately, many of the multicultural children's books that are currently available contain problematic features," said Akane Nishimoto, a student at York University in Toronto working towards a Master of Education degree in language, culture and teaching.

"Even with the best of intentions, the use of questionable materials in superficial ways may do more to deepen the marginalization of minority cultures than to foster social harmony."

The Canadian Japanese-Mennonite Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship available to a Canadian student enrolled in a graduate degree program in Canada and doing research that will assist the protection of minority or human rights.

The scholarship, co-sponsored by the National Association of Japanese Canadians and MCC Canada, was created in 1985 as a tangible symbol of co-operation between Canadian Japanese and Canadian Mennonites.

It was established subsequent to a formal apology offered by MCC Canada, on behalf of Canadian Mennonites, for injustices experienced by Canadian Japanese during World War II.

The scholarship is intended to assist the protection of minority and human rights in Canada, and to reduce the potential for abuse of cultural minorities such as that suffered by Japanese Canadians during World War II.

 

Gladys Terichow is a staff writer for MCC Canada.