Guest opinion Use television to teach toleranc

Can situations similar to the Danish cartoon controversy be avoided in the future through the dissemination of diverse and multicultural children's television programs?

My answer is yes.

The amount of violence and hatred generated by the Danish cartoons making fun of the prophet Muhammed was overwhelming. And although we cannot erase the past and the devastation that has resulted from intolerance for the various cultures and religions of the world, we can turn to the youth of our generation in order to start anew.

We need to gradually educate children to understand that not everyone is the same. Not all cultures are alike and it is important to respect everyone's differences. I believe we can look to children's television programming to best convey this message.

The media should expend a more focused effort in accurately portraying the diversities of the world's population. The depiction of diverse cultures and beliefs on children's television enables kids to see and understand the differences between various societies. Through familiarity, they will be more likely to grow to accept and respect these variations and help prevent conflicts regarding religion and race, such as the Danish cartoon issue, that have become so prevalent in today's society.

I fully agree with Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon Television, who says that diversity and multicultural programming is something you have to be relentlessly committed to. It also will build children's confidence and pride in their own heritage, which is important to hold on to as America becomes increasingly diversified.

If children's television programming becomes able to affect world issues on such a broad scope, the media's benefit to society will be even more fully appreciated and applauded.

Alice Lin is a resident of Calabasas and a University of Pennsylvania junior majoring in psychology.