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Importance Of Race, Racism, And Cultural Identity In Young Adult Literature

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Race, racism, and cultural identity is not a topic that is listed within the common curriculum, yet it is an essential conversation to have with students in order to give them a well-rounded education. Yes, the conversation may be uncomfortable, and many may not know how to start the conversation, but young adult literature is the perfect tool in order to conduct the conversation about race, racism, and cultural identity. Young adult literature is compiled of coming-of-age stories and narratives that explore different cultural and personal identities. This genre is the most effective avenue to teach about racial identity within English classrooms, having students read these stories is going to give them the tools to create a healthy identity …show more content…

Her novel outlines the aspects of racism such as intersectionality, police brutality, microaggressions, and how people with privilege can use their privilege in order to benefit society. The main argument within her novel is not about changing the minds of people, but it is about creating a space where racist norms are no longer accepted. In order to do this a conversation about race and racism needs to be had, and in order to create change this conversation needs to be present within the education world and within classrooms. Bringing young adult literature that explores race and different cultural identities is essential within the classroom, because not only is this going to create a diversified education, it going to open the door for a more in-depth conversation about racism in modern-day …show more content…

This book is essential to both groups within the classroom, not only will this start the conversation about race and racism, but it will also teach all of the literary devices that the classics are used to teach. Many have argued that this book does not belong in the classroom because of its vulgar language, the depiction of gun violence, and the riots that take place within the novel, and that is one of the problems that is currently infiltrating the education system, and it is a problem that is hindering the conversation of race and racism within the

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