The Lacking of Multicultural Children and Young Adult Literature Karen Patricia Smith discusses in her article “The Multicultural Ethic and Connections to literature for Children and Young Adults,” which was printed in Library Trends in 1993, the interest of identifying specific issues concerning the lack of multiculturalism in children and young adult literature. She also explains the relationship between literature and the multicultural perspective and the response to the need of multicultural books for children and Young Adults. Smith states several reasons and concerns as to why there is a problem with the lack of multiculturalism in children’s and young adult literature including the potential for stereotyping and the lack of interest from multicultural authors and illustrators. She also states several possible solutions as to how these situations can be deterred, on the librarians and educator front, from occurring and effecting children. Also, Smith gives examples of how it would be possible to bring more interest from multicultural authors/illustrators to this field of literature. Smith introduces the concept of multiculturalism and how America has “always been a ‘multicultural’ country” (Smith, p.1), but didn’t become a realization to the American people until the 1960s and the civil right movement. She explains how the word “multicultural” was used as a synonym to earlier interpretations of “minority”. This included the African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American cultures to name a few. As time would go on this would eventually include “the handicapped, gay and lesbian individuals, and, in short, any persons whose lifestyle, enforced or otherwise, distinguishes them as identifiable members of a group... ... middle of paper ... ...ultural background to be introduced, but never gives a definite example on how to do this. Multicultural literature, especially children’s literature, can affect how an entire culture can be perceived. The lack of multicultural literature for children and young adults, and the lack of those who write from the vast number of cultures, can have negative effects on how cultures are viewed by those who are outside them. A better and more effective way to increase multicultural literature for young people must be found in order to create better relationships that cross culture boundaries. Smith, Karen Patricia. "The multicultural ethic and connections to literature for children and young adults." Library Trends Winter 1993: 340+. General OneFile. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA13208327&v=2.1&u=mlin_b_bunkhcc&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w
Cowhey’s book is broken down by the major themes and concepts she teaches her first and second grade students. Each concept relates back to her personal pedagogy of implementing a Multicultural Education. These major themes include empathy, freedom, peace, activism, community, and social justice. Cowhey’s pedagogy uses “language and literacy to teach about the world with rigor, depth, and challenge in a way that engages and
In the article How Banning Books Marginalizes Children, the author, Paul Ringel, states that approximately fifty-two percent of the books banned in the last ten years illustrate “diverse content”, such as race, religion, gender identity, etc. Ringel believes that attitudes about which books are “appropriate” for kids to read have too often suppressed stories about different cultures and life experiences. He basis his argument around the pretext that when libraries stop the banning it will allow kids to learn how to navigate imaginary worlds filled with differences and apply those lessons to their own lives.
Lindgren, Merri V. The Multicolored Mirror: Cultural Substance in Literature for Children and Young Adults. Highsmith Press, Wisconsin. 1991.
219-224. Library Services Institutefor Minnesota Indians. Guidelines for Evaluating Multicultural Literature: 1970, pp. iv-v. Norton, Donna. 'Through the Eyes of a Child. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffes, New Jersey: 1995.
Madigan, Dan. "The Politics of Multicultural Literature for Children and Adolescents: Combining Perspectives and Conversation." Language Arts. 70.3 (1993): 168-176. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
Children within this age group however are on the path of becoming young adults with their own identities. Finding your own identity when not being exposed to any negative thought provoking subject matter is difficult. Exposing a child to such topics that are out of their comfort zones is difficult enough without having to worry how the child will take in the newfound information. But through literature, parents and educators are able to expose children to difficult subjects such as abuse, religion, drugs, and so on and guide them into making the positive choices in life. Some are lead by example, and it is much easier to lead with a fictional character the children can relate to than just expecting them to know what to do when life takes a turn for the
There are many fairy tales that are well known to a majority of American youths. Most children are familiar with the basic structure of the fairy tale. They will tell you that there is usually a problem, a villain, a hero and a lesson to be learned in the end. Using the familiar platform of a fairy tale is a great way for teachers to introduce multiculturalism to the classroom. Multicultural literature can positively shape awareness of different cultures. It is important for the teacher to make certain the literature chosen does not promote bias or stereotypes. In this reflection I will examine Lon Po Po A Red-Riding Hood Story From China by Ed Young. By comparing and contrasting the story of Lon Po Po with the version of Little Red Riding Hood most familiar to them children will learn about some of the similarities and differences among American and Chinese culture.
Stewart illustrates the lack of international voices in children’s literature with statistics of the published authors’ nationality and non-white status. She considers together books that are written by particular groups with books that are written about particular groups. This presents the idea that a writer of multicultural heritage will ultimately depict situations about their lineage, which may not be the case. This belief regarding authorial intent contradicts the aim of white authors who write about what is foreign; the designated other. Stewart’s statement that “it is disconcerting to note that more books are written a...
One of the main issues that has been a result of representing the under-represented in children’s literature is essentialism. Essentialism is the idea that members of a specific ethnic group should be the only ones to represent their culture in literature because they will give an accurate portrayal of their culture. Essentialism is a very sensitive issue because whole cultures are being represented and those cultures do not want their ethnic group to be portrayed in a negative manner. Furthermore, while essentialism is a matter of opinion and personal beliefs there is one novel that gives a good account as to why essentialism may be preferable to most audiences. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a novel that displays stereotypical images of Asians and shows how three main characters
The idea of literature being an important aspect of life has always been greatly prevalent in my upbringing. This notion that I supported was spurred on at the cause of my obstinate parents insisting upon my reading of two books a week to benefit my vocabulary and to develop the articulate thought process of a skilled reader. As a young child, my biggest influences were my parents’ passionate and persuasive ideas regarding the correlation between
Donelson, Kenneth L., and Alleen Pace. Nilsen. Literature for Today's Young Adults. 7th ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2005. Print.
Writing has been an important part of every culture from the beginning of time. The illustrations of cavemen have evolved immensely. Today, there are millions of published books. In fact, there are over four hundred books published every month. What happens when these books turn into something more? Is there racism in our children's literature? Ironically, the renowned great works of our past is full of racism. The question that remains, how do we teach our children the great lesson that these brave authors intended?
American ethnic literature is known today because of the many authors like Cathy Song, Ralph Ellison and Audre Lorde. These authors have made what is today, from the education of children as well. Children are now able to have a political understand of things. We are now able to have the understanding of our world’s cultures and have a greater intelligence on it. Today we have presented an improved understanding to the American society, in the political and economic that today’s world has
...communicate, live, feel, and see differently. I believe everyone is entitled to his or her own values, morals, beliefs and cultures; however, everyone else should show respect for others values, morals, beliefs and cultures regardless of their interests. Thus, when all else fail, to ensure that literature place positive impacts on the youth in communities society should find common grounds and learn to respect each other and their lifestyle.
At a young age children believe almost everything that they hear. Parents and teachers need to be very careful and selective with what they talk about around children. One challenge that teachers and parents face is choosing the appropriate books to read for their young ones. One book genre that has caused a good amount of chaos and controversy are multicultural books. Adults are afraid of exposing their children to these kinds of books because they do not want them to be influenced by the negative stereotypes that many of these books contain. However multicultural books can help children to empathize with others and learn about different cultures, the right books just need to be selected. Parents and teachers need to find books that