Cultural Representations in Young Adult Literature

Meghan Maleski and Debbie Jancik

Multicultural Literature: What Is It?

reflects the society we live in, even to those who live in white communities

explores the lives and experiences of under-represented groups that have not traditionally been represented in literature for young people

--Jean E. Brown (1998), p.13

Multicultural Literature: What Is It? Shows young adults and their culture in their

books Allows young adults to read beyond their own

culture Helps young adults learn to appreciate other

cultures Exposes young adults to a wide range of

human experiences Helps young adults realize that our similarities

outweigh our differences

--Jean E. Brown (1998), p.13

Cultural Representations – A History

dominated by white male authors portrayed characters of color in a

stereotypical manner had implied or overt racism and perpetuated

white supremacy.

Negative Stereotyping: ExamplesAfrican American stereotypes in 20th century

literature:

The Bobbsey Twins series The Adventures of Hucklebery Finn Mary Poppins

The Brownies’ Book Created by W.E.B. Dubois First text directed primarily at African

American children Published monthly from January 1920 through

December 1921

Civil Rights Movement

New awareness of African American culture Passage of the Elementary and Secondary

Education Act of 1965 Allocated funding for schools to purchase

books by African Americans

African American literary tradition Reeducate in the face of stereotypes Issues driven Culturally conscious Integrates art and politics

Themes Fighting oppression The expression of pent-up emotions Self reliance Self love Freedom and equality Focus on political ideas

-Wanda M. Brooks (2008), pg. 98

Slave Narratives Gave birth to the African American literary

tradition Profoundly influential Stress the importance of freedom Famous example is Frederick Douglass’

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave: Written by Himself

Trends in African American Literature

Biographies - became popular in the 70’s - a “Who’s who of African American history” Folktales - acknowledge and celebrate African American

culture Virginia Hamilton’s The People Could Fly:

American Black Folktales - Walter Dean Myers’ Fallen Angels

Trends in African American Literature Historical Fiction -became popular in the 1960’s - is culturally conscious African American

literaature - emphasizes freedom, ancestry and identity - set in African American homes or

communities - is one of the most published, popular and

awarded of the last three decades

Important Historical Fiction Examples: Virginia Hamilton’s Roll of Thunder,

Hear My Cry and The House of Dies Drear Mildred Taylor’s The Land Julius Lester’s Day of Tears Angela Johnson’s Toning the Sweep

Other features Non linear plots employs flashbacks and circular narrative

structure Taken from oral tradition

Examples: Toni Morrison’s Beloved Patricia C. McKissacks’ Christmas in the Big House

References to the supernatural Angela Johnson’s Heaven and Toning the Sweep

Asian American Literature Folklore and historical fiction

The Story of the Monkey King’s Odyssey Laurence Yep – historical stories of Chinese

immigration Historic themes

Generational conflict Celebrations such as the Chinese New Year

Native American Literature Folklore and historical fiction:

Virginia Hamilton’s In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World

Ignatia Broker’s Nightflying Woman Gary Paulsen’s Dogsong Elizabeth George Speare’s The Sign of the Beaver Jean Craighead George’s Julie of the Wolves Scott O’Dell’s Sing Down the Moon

Latino Literature Very few young adult books Historical fiction Themes of religion, familial respect, and

cultural values Scott O’Dell’s The Black Pearl and The King’s Fifth Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima Sandra Cisnero’s The House on Mango Street The works of Pura Belpre

Awards

The Coretta Scott King Award The Caldecott Award Asian Pacific American Library Association

(APALA) Pura Belpre Americas Award

Challenges Lack of books written for other cultures Cultural literature becomes relegated to its

respective month White communities do not include

multicultural books on their shelves “Young adult literature…despite its increasing

diversity, still too often maintains a quiet indifference that is racism in its most subtle form”

Andrea Davis Pinkney (2001), pg. 535

How to Promote Choose works of quality Learn about other cultures Choose award winners that are culturally

authentic Pair books across cultures that have related

themes Multidimensional look at a culture

Websites Ways to analyze Children’s Books for Racism and

Sexismwww.osi.hu/iep/Workshops/anti_bia/ten_ways.html

Young Adult Latino Titles: www.reforma.org