cultural representations in young adult literature
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Cultural Representations in Young Adult Literature. Meghan Maleski and Debbie Jancik. Multicultural Literature: What Is It?. reflects the society we live in, even to those who live in white communities - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Cultural Representations in Young Adult Literature
Meghan Maleski and Debbie Jancik
Multicultural Literature: What Is It?
reflects the society we live in, even to those who live in white communities
explores the lives and experiences of under-represented groups that have not traditionally been represented in literature for young people
--Jean E. Brown (1998), p.13
Multicultural Literature: What Is It? Shows young adults and their culture in their
books Allows young adults to read beyond their own
culture Helps young adults learn to appreciate other
cultures Exposes young adults to a wide range of
human experiences Helps young adults realize that our similarities
outweigh our differences--Jean E. Brown (1998), p.13
Cultural Representations – A History
dominated by white male authors portrayed characters of color in a
stereotypical manner had implied or overt racism and perpetuated
white supremacy.
Negative Stereotyping: ExamplesAfrican American stereotypes in 20th century
literature:
The Bobbsey Twins series The Adventures of Hucklebery Finn Mary Poppins
The Brownies’ Book Created by W.E.B. Dubois First text directed primarily at African
American children Published monthly from January 1920 through
December 1921
Civil Rights Movement
New awareness of African American culture Passage of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 Allocated funding for schools to purchase
books by African Americans
African American literary tradition Reeducate in the face of stereotypes Issues driven Culturally conscious Integrates art and politics
Themes Fighting oppression The expression of pent-up emotions Self reliance Self love Freedom and equality Focus on political ideas
-Wanda M. Brooks (2008), pg. 98
Slave Narratives Gave birth to the African American literary
tradition Profoundly influential Stress the importance of freedom Famous example is Frederick Douglass’
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave: Written by Himself
Trends in African American Literature
Biographies - became popular in the 70’s - a “Who’s who of African American history” Folktales - acknowledge and celebrate African American
culture Virginia Hamilton’s The People Could Fly:
American Black Folktales - Walter Dean Myers’ Fallen Angels
Trends in African American Literature Historical Fiction -became popular in the 1960’s - is culturally conscious African American
literaature - emphasizes freedom, ancestry and identity - set in African American homes or
communities - is one of the most published, popular and
awarded of the last three decades
Important Historical Fiction Examples: Virginia Hamilton’s Roll of Thunder,
Hear My Cry and The House of Dies Drear Mildred Taylor’s The Land Julius Lester’s Day of Tears Angela Johnson’s Toning the Sweep
Other features Non linear plots employs flashbacks and circular narrative
structure Taken from oral tradition
Examples: Toni Morrison’s Beloved Patricia C. McKissacks’ Christmas in the Big House
References to the supernatural Angela Johnson’s Heaven and Toning the Sweep
Asian American Literature Folklore and historical fiction
The Story of the Monkey King’s Odyssey Laurence Yep – historical stories of Chinese
immigration Historic themes
Generational conflict Celebrations such as the Chinese New Year
Native American Literature Folklore and historical fiction:
Virginia Hamilton’s In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World
Ignatia Broker’s Nightflying Woman Gary Paulsen’s Dogsong Elizabeth George Speare’s The Sign of the Beaver Jean Craighead George’s Julie of the Wolves Scott O’Dell’s Sing Down the Moon
Latino Literature Very few young adult books Historical fiction Themes of religion, familial respect, and
cultural values Scott O’Dell’s The Black Pearl and The King’s Fifth Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima Sandra Cisnero’s The House on Mango Street The works of Pura Belpre
Awards The Coretta Scott King Award The Caldecott Award Asian Pacific American Library Association
(APALA) Pura Belpre Americas Award
Challenges Lack of books written for other cultures Cultural literature becomes relegated to its
respective month White communities do not include
multicultural books on their shelves “Young adult literature…despite its increasing
diversity, still too often maintains a quiet indifference that is racism in its most subtle form”
Andrea Davis Pinkney (2001), pg. 535
How to Promote Choose works of quality Learn about other cultures Choose award winners that are culturally
authentic Pair books across cultures that have related
themes Multidimensional look at a culture
Websites Ways to analyze Children’s Books for Racism and
Sexismwww.osi.hu/iep/Workshops/anti_bia/ten_ways.html
Young Adult Latino Titles: www.reforma.org