People confront stereotypes every day, both in and out of the classroom. Some ideas have been carried in the collective memory and classroom textbooks for so long they are generally recognized as fact. Many are constantly being reinforced by personal experiences, family discussions, and Hollywood productions as well. The distinct advantage to confronting stereotypes through primary documents is that the stereotype itself is not addressed directly. Instead, students confront and reevaluate original issues and interpersonal differences, avoiding the emotions that usually shape preconceived ideas. Primary-source documents can, when examined by curious students and guided by thoughtful teachers, provide a fresh and often surprising view of topics often laden with stereotypes.