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Can stereotypes ever be good? - Sheila Marie Orfano and Densho

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 2007, researchers surveyed 180 teachers to understand if they held stereotypes about their students. The most commonly held opinion was that Asian students were significantly more industrious, intelligent, and gentle. This might seem like a good thing, but treating this stereotype as reality can cause a surprising amount of harm. Sheila Marie Orfano and Densho dig into the model minority myth.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Densho, Sheila Marie Orfano
  • Historical Consultant Nina Wallace, Densho
  • Narrator Pen-Pen Chen
  • Director Léon Moh-Cah
  • Animator Léon Moh-Cah
  • Composer Stephen LaRosa
  • Storyboard Artist Léon Moh-Cah
  • Art Director Léon Moh-Cah
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Content Associate Abdallah Ewis
  • Supplementary Materials Writer Natasha Varner, Barbara Yasui, Densho

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