Proposal 1:

 Curriculum Change

Devise and implement curriculum changes that are more racially accurate, sensitive, and inclusive

Shift the focus of eurocentric English and Language Arts curriculum to include literature and scholarship by -Black, Indigenious, People of Color, and anti-racist authors. The focus on “classics” and “great works of the past” undermines inclusivity and equates European literature to literature of value.

Why we need diverse texts:

OVERVIEW

  • The current, outdated curriculum sets students up to believe they are sufficiently informed when they only have a surface level understanding of the systematic and generational racial injustices we still see played out today. 

  • A few, optional, books from authors of color, a chapter about the Civil Rights Movement, and the history of Native Americans from a Eurocentric viewpoint do not do race education any justice. School districts are not a monolith, so the history we learn should not depict the American experience as a monolith either. To combat this, our students of color must be able to see their voices, faces, and history represented in our academic education.

PROMOTES EMPATHY AND UNITY

  • Multicultural literature fosters positive self-esteem and prevents students from feeling isolated. Introducing diverse texts is a powerful tool in enabling students to gain a better understanding of both their own culture and the cultures of others.

PROMOTES CROSS-CULTURAL FRIENDSHIP

  • Multicultural literature promotes the interaction of children across differing ethnic backgrounds. Through this deeper knowledge, relationships can be strengthened, bridging the gap between students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

HELPS STUDENTS LOOK CRITICALLY AT THE WORLD

  • Multicultural literature can help students develop socio-political awareness by introducing them to current racial and cultural issues. When students vicariously experience the feelings and emotions of others through literature, they are encouraged to look critically at the world and gain a greater understanding of contemporary social issues.

ENCOURAGES IDENTITY FORMATION

  • Multicultural literature can also assist students with their identity formation. Identity formation is important in the social development of all children, as it gives them a sense of belonging and acceptance in society. Inclusion of multicultural literature in library collections confirm that the beliefs and experiences of minority students are valued. When students see themselves reflected in the pages of literature, they are more likely to engage with a text. A case study confirms this, revealing that African- American students prefer to read texts they can relate to culturally, increasing their interest in reading. Familiar concepts in multicultural literature help to build security, familiarity, and confidence, which can lead to an improvement in student learning.