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The multicultural ethic and connections to literature for children and young adults
Library Trends, Wntr, 1993 by Karen Patricia Smith
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
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Multiculturalism is a concept whose time has come--again. While the United States has always been a "multicultural" country, the full acknowledgment and implications of this fact did not begin to dawn upon the American populace until the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The term has been used by some almost as a synonym for the earlier designation "minority" to refer to the disenfranchised--i.e., those whose interests were not necessarily represented by the "mainstream" white culture. In an article published in The American Quarterly, Philip Gleason (1991) points out that "minority" was not used to designate America's ethnic groups until 1932 (Gleason, 1991, p. 394) as noted in Donald Young's (1932) book American Minority Peoples: A Study in Racial and Cultural Conflicts in the United States. This is a title, which, unfortunately, might well be applicable today. Prior to this, the earliest use of the term "minority" referred to the treatment, of various European groups involved in World War I negotiations. "Multicultural" has undergone similar changes in meaning. In his column, "On Language," in the February 23, 1992, issue of The New York Times Magazine, William Safire noted, with typical ironic amusement, the many meanings of the prefix "multi." Among the various nouns and adjectives to which "multi" is applied, he mentioned "multicultural" and noted that one of its earliest appearances was in a 1941 Herald Tribune book review (of an unnamed book) where the book was described as "a fervent sermon against nationalism, national prejudice and behavior in favor of a |multicultural' way of life." Safire went on to say: "When proponents of cultural diversity gained attention derogating Western civilization in the 1980s, multicultural became a college curriculum code word for |not dominated by whites'" (Safire, 1992, p. 20).
The concept of multiculturalism became a more inclusive term, exceeding earlier usages, to incorporate those groups who had long resided in the United States but who had not yet become fully recognized for what they too could contribute to American culture--African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. These groups were disenfranchised politically as well as socially; one could not find adequate mention of them, for example, in the history textbooks as having been a vital and productive people, nor could one find written evidence of the contributions they had made to contemporary society.
As American society continues to become sensitized to the needs of various cultures in the United States (though, in some circles, a sensitization is taking place somewhat under protest), "multiculturalism" has assumed a somewhat broader interpretation. It is of ten inclusive of the handicapped, gay and lesbian individuals, and, in short, any persons whose lifestyle, enforced or otherwise, distinguishes them as identifiable members of a group other than the "mainstream."
In a recent article entitled "Sorting Through the Multicultural Rhetoric," Sara Bullard (1991/1992) commented on the dilemma of defining, the concept. "Educators disagree, first, over which groups should be included in multicultural plans--racial and ethnic groups, certainly, but what about regional, social class, gender, disability, religious, language, and sexual orientation groupings" (p. 5)? The term has assumed very broad interpretations reflecting the needs and demands of contemporary society.
This being the case, however, it is still necessary for the sake of coherence, to narrow the scope of one's discussion within an available format. Therefore, given this factor and the need to maintain a focus on this issue, the term will be used during this discussion to refer to people of color--that is, individuals ho identify with African-American, Hispanic, American indian, Eskimo, or Aleut, and Asian or Pacific Islander heritages.
MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE'S RELATIONSHIP TO LITERATURE
Concerns regarding multiculturalism and literature have begun to permeate all sectors. These interests and concerns have both long-range and long-term implications for children and youth. While the field of library and information studies is one distinguished by its own characteristics, it is also unarguably an eclectic one. Therefore, we cannot help but be influenced by the arguments taking place in other related disciplines, particularly when these have strong implications for the considerations to be pondered and the actions to be taken in our own field. The "conversations" and debates occurring within the humanities and social sciences are not to be taken lightly by library professionals, particularly since they are responsible for providing access to the materials needed for studies in these areas and for response to the calls for service stemming from changes in the thinking of society at large.
On the college and university levels, there are current debates regarding the literary canon--i.e., the "classic" materials to which every child or young person must be exposed during his or her school career in order to be deemed literate or educated. These are issues which, while they are initiated on the higher education levels, eventually filter down to the elementary and secondary levels, affecting the lives of young persons. In the past, this canon has effectively excluded, or only marginally included, non-western cultures. Viewed sequentially, this is relevant to the situation in schools and in all settings in which children and youth participate, for the university prepares graduates and some of these graduates become teachers, school media specialists, and public librarians who in turn may continue to perpetuate the basic tenor of what they have been exposed to over the years. If these individuals have had minimal exposure to non-Western cultures, then they do not enter their chosen professions with a background of knowledge about multicultural interests.
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Most Popular Articles in Reference
- The importance of understanding organizational culture
- Credit card attitudes and behaviors of college students
- What factors attract foreign direct investment?
- Libraries Need Relationship Marketing - mutual interest marketing concept, ...
- How to set performance goals: employee reviews are more than annual critiques
- More »