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Columbus State University

An Analysis of the Black Image in Children's Literature in Terms of Characterizations, Illustrations, and Language

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This descriptive study analyzed two samples of children's literature to determine the frequency, if any, of negativism toward black people in terms of characterizations, illustrations, and/or language. One sample consisted of eighteen (18) books published prior to 1965 which had been removed from elementary school libraries because they were "outdated and portrayed black characters in a demeaning, stereotyped manner" (Lisby, Note 1). The second sample of twenty-five (25) books published since 1965, depicting at least one major black character, was randomly selected from elementary school libraries. The two samples of books were read and analyzed using a checklist instrument to gather data. The two samples were statistically tested to determine whether there was a significant difference between the two of them. The results indicated one hundred percent (100%) of the sample of books published prior to 1965 contained negativism in at least one or more of the categories (i.e., characterizations, illustrations, and language). Eighty-four percent (84%) of the sample of books published since 1965 also contained incidents of negativism in one or more of the subcategories listed under the three major categories. The data, however, indicated much improvement in the later sample compared to the earlier sample. Chi square was calculated for significance of difference between the two samples. The results were as follows: x 2 = 13.41, df = 1, p< .001. In all categories tested, p< .001.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Specialist in Education
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Teacher Education
Year
1985

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Dickson, Joan Smith
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Anita B. Whitman
  • Dr. James M. Brewbaker
  • Dr. Carolyn Cartledge

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Rights

Language dc:language
English

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:csuepress.columbusstate.edu:theses_dissertations-1594

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Columbus State University
Base URL
csuepress.columbusstate.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Dickson, Joan Smith. An Analysis of the Black Image in Children's Literature in Terms of Characterizations, Illustrations, and Language. Thesis thesis, 1985. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/621