4.1

1. Summarize Ted McDougal’s experience in the African American political science class. “In this class, he knew he had to prove himself in another way-- as a good person, as an ally of the cause, as a nonracist white person” (86). 

2. What was Ted experiencing in this class? Explain your response thoroughly. Pay particular attention to this quotation: “He could see how the setting affected his ‘smartness’... He hardly had one moment of unself-conscious engagement in the course’s material” (87). 

3. What similarities or connections do you see between Brent Staples and Ted McDougal? Please describe them in detail.

4. What is Steele trying to demonstrate/show the reader by detailing Ted’s experience? In other words, what is Steele saying about stereotype threat by detailing a white male’s experience? *Hint: “Situational contingencies” (87-89).