Multicultural Literature

            In the article, Multicultural literature and young adolescents: A kaleidoscope of opportunity, Susan Landt talks about how all the books she read growing up were all about whites and deprived of all other cultures. The problem that she talks about is that adolescents obtain a skewed view on reality, such as looking through a kaleidoscope rather than a clear and accurate window. She discusses that educators should integrate multicultural literature into their classrooms for students to gain more perspective. Landt believes that most literature is sheltered and her goal is to provide awareness on good multicultural literature. By adolescents reading multicultural literature, Landt believes it will, “facilitate their engagement in self and social understanding” (691). By having been educated on different cultures, adolescents can understand the similarities of their own culture with others, and also respect and value the differences.

Another goal of integrating multicultural literature is being able to reflect and see one’s self in what is being read. Reading literature that has a main character of a different culture allows readers of that culture to see themselves in the story. Characteristics in choosing which multicultural literature to integrate include being accurate in the portrayal of the culture and language, and shows diversity within that culture (695). Some books that would work well for educators to teach include, Bud, Not Buddy, Cuba, Breaking Through, and The Night Journey.

            After reading this article, it makes me reflect on all the books that I have read and it is completely true, all of the main characters tend to be white variations of each other. This makes me want to integrate multicultural literature into my classrooms so that my students gain a rich array of information and perspectives on different cultures other than their own. This article acts as a wake up call to the people who did not realize that they have been looking through a kaleidoscope their entire life and I find the article very informative. Incorporating multicultural literature into the classroom would help build a sense of unity among the students. Hopefully, it would help students gain respect for one another and become well informed about their peer’s cultures. Also, I think that Landt makes a great point about seeing yourself in what you are reading. This is something that I have never realized that I do, and it is completely true. I have read Bud, Not Buddy before and could not picture myself in the role of the main character, thus leading me to not get as much out of the text. I feel that if people can relate to the characters in the piece of literature, they will get more out of the book.