My Final Message

Well, the semester has finally come to a close and it was a bit of a rough one, but it is over and done with. I enjoyed my little interjection in multicultural literature and have decided it is a topic worth more exploration on my part. I learned to expand my own view when looking at multicultural literature, and I have gained a greater appreciation for the literature that is out there already (both the good and the bad) and the literature which I hope is still to come. I would like to think I have learned to look at the text more critically and consider what is in the book itself, over what I believe is implied or left out. I have learned the importance of considering the text and looking at who we as readers interact with the text, both good and bad. Ultimately, my view points have evolved and I am beginning to consider different aspects of each text as I encounter them. I would still say I am learning, but we all should consider ourselves to still be learning.

Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear

I have to admit I was a little disappointed originally in the selections I found at the bookstore. It was difficult to find many books that didn’t have young African American males not depicted as the star athlete who has his struggles with either in school academically or with social peer pressures to get into drugs, burglary or other destructive endeavors. The three stories each had their typical characters: two had young men who were good athletes and the third’s main character was a good artist, this certainly did not dispel my initial thoughts. It was also not easy to find three books by different authors in the bookstore. Although the store was willing to order other books, I felt it was interesting to note the given selection from the bookstore. I was thus forced to select a book from an author I was completely unfamiliar with I ended up selecting a book from an outsider. That particular book also ended up being my least favorite of the three. I found it out of date and disconnected. I would contribute this to both the time of the publication (1960’s) and the author himself.

Ultimately, I could find redeeming qualities in each of the selections. Although the characters each met some typical African American stereotypes, each story had elements which pulled away from these initial character types. And I could appreciate the attempt. I can’t say that I was all together pleased with what I did find, but I can say I found an interesting selection and learned a little bit in the process.

Professional Resource

The text Teaching Multicultural Literature in Grades K-8, edited by Violet Harris (1992) was a great resource of information on multicultural literature. Rudine Sims-Bishop discusses the concept of authenticity in the authorship of multicultural text. Her most poignant regarding good quality multicultural literature was her attention to the cultural background of the author and their abilities to discuss the elements of their own culture displaying the common human elements, but also describing the differences in language, religious beliefs, family dynamics, social values all while being careful not to alienate the outside reader (pg. 44). Sims-Bishop believes in order for multicultural literature to be most authentic, it should be written by and insider of the culture and she gives some excellent criteria on how to identify quality multicultural pieces.

Sims-Bishop noted these criteria for determining quality multicultural fiction literature:

1. be well written
2. tell a good story
3. have strong characterizations
4. offer a worthwhile theme (or themes) students can understand
5. accurate
6. well-presented.
(pg. 47-48)

Sims-Bishop also goes on to say that a good author can address these criteria to the benefit of all readers (both within and outside of their personal culture. I felt this was appropriate to include and focus on the quality of the literature, which I feel sometimes gets sacrificed for the sake of having an inside voice. I agree with Sims-Bishop’s belief that those who are intimately connected to the culture have the ability to be more accurate in their depictions of the culture; however there are no guarantees, and looking at the quality of the literature will help address this issue.

Autobiography of My Dead Brother

Title: Autobiography of My Dead Brother
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2005
ISBN-10: 0-06-058293-6

Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean was a stunning combination of a graphic novel and written novella. I found the text to be equally as engaging as the artwork, the two complimented each other very well without feeling as though you were reading a grown up picture book.

The story centers on Jesse and his friendship with Rise. Jesse and Rise become very close at a young age and became blood brothers rather unceremoniously. But this would be a declaration Jesse would take very seriously through the years as their relationship evolved through the years and Rise begins to walk down a darker path. Jesse strives to stay focused on his art and staying out of the “fast life,” while Rise quickly drifts into the seductive life of drugs and gang life.

Jesse tries to understand Rise’s changing attitude toward life, but is unable to fully comprehend Rise’s transformation. In an attempt to better understand his brother Jesse begins to draw their daily life and Rise. He drafts the Rise’s “autobiography” and in the process is better able to deal with their changing relationship.

Tears of a Tiger

Title: Tears of a Tiger
Author: Sharon Draper
Publisher: Simon Pulse
City: New York
Year: 1994

I ripped through the pages of Draper’s tragic tale in Tears of a Tiger barely able to put the book down. The novella opens with blunt news article describing the brutal and tragic death of Hazelwood High School’s star basketball player, Robert Washington. He dies in a fiery car accident where his best friend Andrew Jackson (better know as Andy) is driving the car. Three out of the four passengers, including Andy and Robert, were drinking. The emotional novella discusses very in-depth themes such as death, suicide, guilt, underage drinking and depression.

Andy struggles for many days after the accident. He is faced with much guilt over the death of his best friend and pays the ultimate price for his actions. I expected the novella to be a typical story of the black youth who struggles academically and excels athletically. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by the text. If you were to strip away the racial make-up of the school you would be left with a gripping story of youngsters playing with the flames and life, only to get burned in the process.

The Contender

Title: The Contender
Author: Robert Lipsyte
Publisher: Harper Collins
City: New York
Year: 1967

The Contender focuses on Alfred, a 17 year old African American boy living in Harlem. Alfred is discontent with his life and all he wants is to be sure he does not fall into the traps of drugs and crime, instead, Alfred turns to sports training in boxing. He trains hard and learns to box, but after some success decides boxing is not for him as it is too violent and he does not want to box.

This book was written in the 1960's and therefore uses language specific to the time frame, but in some areas is a little "rough." Although the story centers on a young African American boy who does excel in sports, in the end Alfred returns his focus on school, wanting to become a coach working with children at the recreational center. The story has a more optomistic feel by the end of the story, but there were some streotypes within the story on whites, blacks and the Jewish culture.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I wanted to investigate the images of adolescent African American boys in literature for a few reasons. I often see images of young African American boys related to sports, music, drugs, sex and violence. Many of the images are negative, and show an image of a boy who’s only redeeming quality is that they are great athletes, musicians or other artistic outlets. Also images of African American boys are seen as drug dealers, violent and absent minded in school, their home lives and the like. These images permeate our video media (such as movies and television, even the local news) and I wanted to investigate these images in children’s literature. I wanted to know what kinds of books were readily available in local bookstores and what images of young men they will depict.