Stereotypes

Even as American audiences gush over "Slumdog Millionaire," some Indians are groaning over what they see as yet another stereotypical foreign depiction of their nation, accentuating squalor, corruption and impoverished-if-resilient natives. "Slumdog," which earned 10 Oscar nominations this week, including one for best picture, is set in Mumbai, is based on an Indian novel and features many Indian actors. Yet the sensibility is anything but Indian, some critics argue.

The notion that boys are better than girls at math simply doesn't add up, according to a study published today in the journal Science. An analysis of standardized test scores from more than 7.2 million students in grades 2 through 11 found no difference in math scores for girls and boys, contradicting the pervasive belief that most women aren't hard-wired for careers in science and technology.

For decades, Claremont kindergartners have celebrated Thanksgiving by dressing up as pilgrims and Native Americans and sharing a feast. But on Tuesday, when the youngsters meet for their turkey and songs, they won't be wearing their hand-made bonnets, headdresses and fringed vests.

WHEN did Africa become so hip? It seems that everywhere one turns these days there is some pop cultural reference to the continent. There's Oprah opening a school for girls in South Africa, Madonna's controversial adoption of a baby boy from Malawi and Angelina Jolie giving birth to her own child in Namibia, after having adopted another child from Ethiopia a few years ago.

The sense of shock and shame that has engulfed the Korean American community in the wake of the murderous Virginia Tech rampage may seem overdone to some, but its roots are familiar to many minorities. "My first thought when I heard initial reports [of the shootings] was 'Oh my God, I hope it's not a black person,' " African American commentator Earl Ofari Hutchinson said. "It's a visceral reaction, a reflection of this country's long history of typecasting all minorities."

"Tintin in the Congo," an illustrated work removed from the children's section of Borders Group Inc., stores in Britain because of allegations of racism, will get the same treatment by the superstore chain in the United States. "Borders is committed to carrying a wide range of materials and supporting our customers' right to choose what to read and what to buy.

IF I were casting the part of a powerful politician on a campaign to embarrass the entertainment industry for its abundance of demeaning stereotypes and degrading images of women and African Americans, it would be hard to find a better fit for the role than U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.). A former Black Panther who is now a leading liberal Democrat chairing the House subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection, Rush can't be stereotyped as a knee-jerk anti-Hollywood zealot.

"What kind of a name is that?" the voice coach asked at the end of the lesson. The name on the check he'd been handed by his student didn't match the young actor's European-sounding stage name. The actor hesitated. He was fairly new in town and leery of any missteps. "Umm, my grandfather was Middle Eastern," he said. The actor said the room temperature seemed to drop. The teacher took him aside and spoke urgently.

This column got its start as a favor to a friend. Kimberly called me for advice about a month ago. She's a Starbucks exec who travels around the country setting up coffee kiosks in grocery stores, hospitals and retail outlets. Her boss had asked her to take on a project that would require long hours and a 120-mile daily commute from Porter Ranch to Compton. She was worried. "It's so far," she said. And she wasn't talking just about miles; we both recognized that.

Circumcision may not rank high in the comedy canon, but for the off-color New York City musical duo What I Like About Jew, the topic gets a lot of play in a shtick that has them skewering all things iconically Jewish -- from JDate to Passover to rhinoplasty.