1. Before you read this chapter, were you aware that slavery still exists throughout the world? If yes, describe how you learned about it and your reac­tion to this fact. If not, what are some factors that contributed to your lack of awareness of contem­porary slavery?

2. Have you ever experienced being stereotyped because of your race or ethnicity? Why or why not? How can racial stereotypes harm societies, as well as groups and individuals?

3. What is the difference between the color-blind perspective on race and blatant bigotry? Why is it often so difficult to recognize and address racial discrimination in the United States today?

4. Give two examples, respectively, of both side-effect discrimination and past-in-present discrimination. How have they impacted you and your life chances? Why?

5. We know that efforts to reduce prejudice, racism, and discrimination must take place at all levels (micro, meso, and macro). Most organizations, though, must choose one level on which to focus their particular efforts. If you were going to start an organization to decrease racial or ethnic preju­dice, would you focus on the micro, meso, or macro level? Why? Explain what your organiza­tion would do.

6. Do you agree with preferences for college appli­cants at the University of Michigan who were scholarship athletes or the sons or daughters of a large donor or a politician, but not for racial or eth­nic minorities? Why or why not? Was the Supreme Court correct in ruling that a referendum passed by voters in Michigan should trump concerns about diversity? Why?