Week 2

I think that the Brannon and Greene article raises some important and very real questions about how literature is taught today. I applaud the efforts that have been made to bring more multicultural works into the classroom for the obvious reasons. Things can only be learned from this practice. New perspectives that illustrate the cultural and social contexts of certain time periods as well as different ways of thinking and lifestyles can be and are illustrated in many of these texts. It is important to expose the youth to these things so as not to limit them in their own perspectives on a variety of issues in their own lives. For example, Copper Sun may provided a glimpse of what it may have been like for a slave girl from Africa. Especially in the south, this account has the power to change the views that many people may have about the severity and brutality of slavery.

One of the points in the article brought up the opinion that this integration of multicultural books in the classroom should not depend on the composition of the students in the class. I agree. The purpose of reading these different works of literature is not to appease a particular race or culture, and it is not to cater to any particular audience. The purpose is to diversify, and by doing so, the same lessons that we are able to learn from more traditional works such as The Great Gatsby can be learned through other books. Not only can we learn these lessons, but as mentioned before we can learn about another culture and way of thinking.

Another point that I found very valid in this article is that the question " Is it good enough to teach?" should not be the only question asked when considering what books to teach in a class. The amount or prestige of the awards that the work may have one are not what determines the merit that a book has in a classroom setting. We do not force children to read books because they have been deemed "Great" by the media or some abstract panel of judges, at least I hope not. Books are read for specific reasons. To teach literary techniques, to facilitate some goal, or to examine some point of view are some of these specific reasons. I believe that if a work of literature meets the purpose and goal that has been set for it, than it is worthy to be taught.

One problem that I do have with looking at books from the perspective of categorizing them into what ethnic or cultural background they come from is that it almost feels like what I will call "literary segregation." This categorization only reinforces the differences that exist between and and every group of people and does not serve to bring people together. I do agree that books with different backgrounds should be taught, as stated above, but not for those reasons alone. I think a combination of practicality in terms of the class goals, and balancing the works in a class is most effective and appropriate. Books should be read in school for a purpose, to learn, not to further exemplify the racial, social, or cultural divides that have existed in our country and the rest of the world since well.....forever.