Why?

Why is Diverse Literature Important?

Diverse literature is important for several reasons. On this page, I am going to discuss a few of the reasons why diverse literature is important. 

First, students need to be exposed to as many varying discourses as possible in order to become more literate. According to James Paul Gee, “literacy is control of secondary uses of language (i.e., uses of language in secondary discourses)” (Gee 35).  Literacy is not simply reading and writing but is also a person’s ability to control secondary discourses. Gee makes the argument that children from non-mainstream homes lack the ability to “acquire dominant secondary discourses” because their parents lack access to these secondary discourses as well (Gee 37).  Since many students are not able exposed to secondary discourses in the home, it is vital that students are exposed to them in the school.

Another reason that inclusion of diverse literature in the curriculum is important is because it allows for students to see people like themselves. “Every child deserves and needs the mirror experience in literature. But that is not possible unless our libraries, schools, and homes contain diverse books, books that allow all readers to see their lived experiences, their cultural traditions, and their language worthy of being in print” (Rose). Children should be able to read books about kids that are like them. An article by Jacob Hood also outlines the need for diverse literature for students. “We need tales of diverse heroes in the plots we know and love. Give us a Native American boy who uses his acute detective skills to solve the mystery of The Basketball Net Bandit. Give us a girl with a speech impediment who was raised by a single dad, struggling against her best friend for the lead role in the school play. Above all, give us reality” (Hood). Books should reflect reality and it is the school’s job to help get these types of books into the hands of students.

Including more diverse literature will be beneficial for both students and teachers. “Stories, these ubiquitous discourse forms, are of great interest in language and literacy education, particularly in light of the increasing sociocultural diversity of students in our classrooms. Through stores, teachers learn of their children’s cultures, of their diverse experiences, and of their connections to family and friends” (Dyson 2). Diverse literature offers a variety of benefits to students and teachers, which is why I hope that you will consider including more diverse literature in your curriculum. 

Works Cited

Dyson, Anne H. and Celia Genishi.  “The Need for Story: Cultural Diversity in Classroom and Community”. Urbana, IL: NCTE. 1994. Print. 

Gee, James P. “What is Literacy?” 29-39. Print.

Hood, Jacob. “Why Diversity in Children’s Literature Really Matters”. The Huffington Post. 6 July 2015. Web. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-hood/why-diversity-in-children_b_7718510.html. 6 November 2015.

Rose, Katherine.  “Why More Diversity in Children’s Literature is Absolutely Necessary”. The Huffington Post. 6 June 2014. Web. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-rose/why-more-diversity-in-chi_b_5544182.html 15 October 2015.