In this fifth edition of her best-selling book Affirming Diversity: The Sociopolitical Context of Multicultural Education, renowned scholar Sonia Nieto explores the meaning, necessity, and benefits of multicultural education for students of all backgrounds. Intended for preservice and in-service teachers and educators, this book looks at how personal, social, political, cultural, and educational factors affect the success or failure of students in today's classroom. Expanding upon the popular case-study approach, the fifth edition also examines the lives of 19 real students who are affected by multicultural education, or a lack of it. Topics include racial, linguistic, religious, cultural, and sexual diversity. Social justice is firmly embedded in this view of multicultural education, and teachers are encouraged to work for social change in their classrooms, schools, and communities.