Reflection of Texts as a Set

When attempting to choose children’s literature which exemplifies positive multicultural and diverse content it is important to consider many things. Firstly, it is important to take into consideration the background of the author, paying special attention to whether or not they are qualified to write a piece of literature about a specific topic. Typically this can be done by examining whether or not that author is an “insider”, or a part of the culture that they chose to write about. In regards to the three examples of African American literature I have chosen, each of the authors are in fact African Americans who have experienced what it is like growing up in America during times when racism and segregation were very prominent. I felt that because each author had first-handedly experienced growing up during these segregated times, with memories of their experiences directly shining through the content of their texts, they were more than qualified to write about such topics. In addition to the authors, each of these chosen books was illustrated by an insider as well. I felt that this was an equally important aspect of the overall work in that the pictures say just as much, if not more, than the text. Illustrations have the ability to add additional information about characters and settings as well as evoke certain feelings and responses from the readers (Duren). I found each of these texts to be effective pieces of African American literature because of the issues each presented. In regards to Goin’ Someplace Special, it exposed a very real part of American history with its examples of racism and segregation in the 1950s, in addition to the sense of hope it provided for the integration of the human race. In regards to Tar Beach, prominent issues of the hard working African American family during the Great Depression were prevalent, as well as symbolism rooted in African culture. And in regards to The Sunday Outing, it focused on aspects of African American culture that did not necessarily have to do with racism, but rather on the issue of economic difficulties for an African American family at the turn of the century. I believe that it is important to include pieces of African American literature in the classroom in order to expose children at a young age to real-life issues that are commonly underrepresented and overlooked. By introducing students to multiculturally diverse literature not only will they be able to formulate a better understanding of the world that surrounds them, but it will also ideally deconstruct predisposed stereotypes and prejudices that they may unconsciously understand to be real. Additionally, presenting such literature in the classroom will allow children from backgrounds whose experiences are not typically heard to make sense of their own experiences. Multiculturalism in children’s literature is slowly being incorporated into the common classroom curriculum but there is a large gap which needs filling and much explanation that needs to be done in regards to educating today’s youth; this education should begin in the classroom at a young age. As students are being introduced to a variety of literature it is necessary to include a variety of African American literature and multicultural literature as well.


Works Cited

Duren, Emma B. "Critical Multiculturalism & Racism in Children's Literature." Multicultural Education 7 (2000): 16-19.

McKissack, Patricia C., and Jerry Pinkney. Goin' Someplace Special. New York: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books, 2001.

Pinkney, Gloria Jean, and Jerry Pickney. The Sunday Outing. New York: Dial, 1994.

Ringgold, Faith. Tar Beach. New York: Crown Books For Young Readers, 1991.