THE NEED FOR INTERRACIAL LITERATURE IN THE CLASSROOM
Although the number of interracial families have more than tripled in the last three decades, interracial families are largely omitted from children's literature.
Why is it important for interracial children to be exposed to interracial literature?
Why is it important for children who aren't interracial or children from the majority culture to be exposed to interracial literature?
- "Although much progress has been made to include information on African-Americans, Asian, Arabic, Native American, and Hispanic children in present day classrooms, there exists a void of materials reflective of interracial children" (Lee & Johnson, 27).
- Since the amount of interracial children being brought into this world is increasing 26 times as fast as any other group in the U.S., it is extremely important that we represent interracial children in literature (Lee & Johnson, 27).
Why is it important for interracial children to be exposed to interracial literature?
- Validation of every child's family and lifestyle should be provided in children’s literature.
- "The differences that characterize individuals and groups should be cherished for their worth and cultivated for the benefits they bring to all people” (Long, 915).
- Helps to build and foster a positive personal identity.
- Gives interracial children positive role-models to look up to and admire.
- "When students see their lives reflected in literature, they feel a sense of self-esteem" (Lee & Johnson, 28).
- "It is possible for literature to contribute to children’s understandings of how they are perceived and appreciated by the school and the society” (Lee & Johnson, 28).
- “Effective multicultural classrooms must reflect the diverse student populations that now exist in America." (Johnson, W. & Lee, G.L., 27).
- Interracial students need to be able to see themselves reflected in literature and in the world.
- “Literature has the ability to provide readers with mirrors in which they can see themselves, and windows through which readers can learn about the experiences of others." (Chaudhri, A. & Teale, W.H., 362).
Why is it important for children who aren't interracial or children from the majority culture to be exposed to interracial literature?
- Enhances their understanding of people from all different families and cultures.
- “For the white child, the lack of exposure to an interracial experience in children’s books limits her/his perspective even while living in a multicultural society.”
- “Children from the majority culture need to see representations of other cultures in the materials they use. This helps provide them with images and information that will aid the development of positive attitudes toward ethnic groups” -Baker (1977) from (Long, 915).
- Heightens awareness and sensitivity towards racism and intolerance.
- “According to Becker (1979) and Banks (1994) the aim of multicultural education is to help students to develop cross-cultural competency in cultures beyond our national boundaries and the insights and understandings needed to understand how all peoples living on the earth have interconnected fates” (Lee & Johnson, 28).
- “Race mixture has occurred extensively throughout history. yet many sociologists and anthropologists have stated that intermarriage is one of the strongest fears of many Americans...” (Long, M.A., 909)