09908. SELF-ESTEEM AND BLACKS. Refutes the commonly held assumption that blacks suffer from low self-esteem. Explores the background and then presents evidence and explanations from empirical studies demonstrating that blacks have equivalent or higher levels of self-esteem than comparable groups of whites. Argues that the low self-esteem assumption has been used as a racist explanation for black under-achievement. 11 pages, 26 footnotes, 19 bibliographic sources.