Stereotypes and Prejudices

One claim about the introduction of multicultural education in the classroom is that it will diminish stereotypes and eliminate racism. By teaching about other cultures, the educational system aims to not only build tolerance, but also promote cultural understanding. However, I find this goal a bit unrealistic when many marginalized students have to attend under-developed schools. Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children's Zone, has created a string of charter schools to give disadvantaged minority students a chance at a quality education and an opportunity to go to college. Canada's program begins monitoring its students before they are born through parenting classes for pregnant women, and follows the children through each year of their lives from preschool programs to high school. Canada's system brings me to this question: Do you think multicultural education should begin at a young age, and do you think a good education begins from birth?