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Critical Literacy Approach to YA Lit in the Age of Michael Brown

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Critical Literacy Approach to YA Lit in the Age of Michael Brown

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By: Patrice Jones

After the death of Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer, classrooms in urban settings around the country were beginning to have necessary conversations about race and injustice. Young Adult Literature can be used by these students as access points into these critical discussions. YAL can be beneficial to students in undeserved communities because they can connect to the context of the books. characters in the books experience similar struggles as they do.

This article argues whether Street Lit can be classified as critical literacy. I believe it does. Although not all students can relate fully to its content, Street Lit forces non-urban students to think critically about the lives of those different than themselves. I can understand why many do not consider Street Lit in the same level as the canon. However, I believe they can be just as effective when used to educate students of all backgrounds. Street Literature is definitely most valuable urban settings of schools with mostly minority students. Students in these communities can read these book and think critically about their own realities. Many students in these communities feel as if they are alone in their struggle or they feel helpless. YAL books like these help these students feel understood.

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See, Think, Wonder

What do you see?
What do you think about it?
What does it make you wonder?

See, Think, Wonder encourages students to think deeply and make observations about the topic and the world. Students these days have a lack of creativity and this activity taps into their imaginations.  this routine can be used at the beginning of a lesson or unit to get students thinking about what's to come. when students' curiosity is heightened, engagement will increase as well. This routine would work great in groups or individually. When students are told to wonder they make connection s between the topic being taught and the world around them.

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List at least three problems the characters faced. Which was the most life changing? Explain.

Reference:

Burroughs, A. (2006). Running with scissors: A memoir. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Problem 1: Deidre Burroughs relationship with her husband Norman Burroughs is what sparked the series of events for the entire book. Norman was a very abusive husband. Norman had Psoriasis covering his entire body which would cause him great discomfort. As a result, he would lash out at his wife any chance he could get. Unfortunately, as seen again and again in history, Deidre felt powerless and dealt with his behavior for a very long time. One night, Norman got very angry and almost tried to kill his wife. With nowhere else to turn, Deidre decided it was time for professional help. While Deidre clearly has problems of her own, this was a problem for her that affected her entire life and the life of her child, Augusten (the protagonist of the story).

Problem 2: After losing control of her life, Deidre decides to seek professional help from Dr. Finch, a psychologist. Deidre and Augusten actually move into Dr. Finch's home. home. Dr. Finch's home is a bizarre place where there basically are no rules. Children from age 13 are allowed to think independently. Unfortunately Dr. Finch is another man that will enter Deidre's life with cruel intentions, In another display of male over female power, we ultimately find out that Dr. Finch manipulated her throughout the book through the use of prescription drugs and continued physical abuse. A man that was supposed to help Deidre and her mental issues in fact did the opposite, further destroying her mental state and self'worth.  Dr. Finch did not hesitate to use the opportunity to heal vulnerable women for the opposite, to hurt her even further and take advantage of her for his own needs.

Problem 3: Augusten was only a 13 year old boy at the time his mother moved him into Dr. Finch's home. This home is a very different world for Augusten, but the longer he stays there the more comfortable he gets. Augusten is gay and eventually finds the loving affection of Neil Bookman, a 33 year old adopted "son" of Dr. Finch. At this point in the book, Deidre is so disillusioned and brainwashed that she finds her son's relationship to be wonderful and sees nothing wrong with the fact that her son is a child and seeing a 33 year old man. Deidre has been manipulated by Dr. Finch to the point where she cannot even see that the pain that another man can be causing to her own child.

Deidre's relationship with Norman, her abusive husband was her most life-changing problem. From the get go we see that power that a male can have on his female counterpart. This abuse impacted her so much that she was so easily manipulated by Dr. Finch, a man who she came to seeking help. Dr. Finch jumped on the opportunity to take advantage of the sick women, in another display of male power by the author. The effects of continued abuse led her to be blind of the atrocities being committed her doctor her doctor and her doctor's "son" who was abusing her own son at the same time.

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Martin Luther King wrote, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘…that all men are created equal.’” What would the main character in your novel dream for? Write this wish as MLK did, “I have a dream that…” Then explain why your character has this dream for the future.

Reference:

Ellis, D. (2000). The breadwinner. Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre.

In The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, an 11 year old girl in Afghanistan learns all too well that where she lives, men and women are not created equal. The abuse and overexertion of power is an overarching theme throughout the text. The Breadwinner explores the imbalance of power in Modern Afghanistan through the eyes of an eleven year old girl named Parvana.
As MLK wished, Parvana would also wish that men and women could be completely equal. She would wish for Women's right to an education and for women to be able to work and contribute to society.

In Afghanistan, women could not study, work, or even leave the house under the control of the Taliban. The Taliban were power hungry people who oppressed the lives of those who did not believe in their mission. The Taliban did not believe in the power of education as a tool for improving society. Because of this, Parvana's Father, a highly educated man, was arrested by the Taliban. In order to provide for her family in her father's absence, Parvana must pretend to be a boy to find work, and to leave the house to purchase food collect water for her family.

Parvana lived in fear of being exposed, simply because she was a girl.  Girls were expected to stay home and were forced to cover every part of their body in a burka. They were not expected to contribute to the prosperity of their own family or society.  This book certainly aimed to expose the harsh realities of life in the middle east and smash the status quo by showing the strength and resilience shown in a little girl. The female strength that the Taliban were afraid of and tried their best to limit as must as they could. this text showed how important women are to society and the effects that undermining this kind of importance can have. Women in Afghanistan were not simply going to let the Taliban win, they will fight till the end.  This book showed the reader that when women are put down they will rise back twice as fast.

In tough times, without her Father present, Parvana pretended to be a boy and found employment and was able to provide for her family. In fact, she made enough money to save for herself and keep fer mother and siblings fed. She enjoyed the responsibility and she woukld most definitely wish that women could work as well as go to school. Parvana heard tales of life before the Taliban and the wonderful life her parents lived.

While equal opportunity for Women would be her number 1 wish, she would also just wish to live the life of a normal 12 year old girl.  one where she goes to school every day, plays with friends, then return to a loving home with a world of opportunities in life available to her.

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After reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, I will be answering the following Lit Circle prompt:

7. Choose an interesting character from your book. Think of what he or she likes; then think of a gift you would like to give him/her. Write a description of the present you would give him/her and why you think the character would like it.

For the purposes of this prompt, I have chosen Charlie, the protagonist of the story.  Charlie is an interesting young man going through a difficult time; freshman year of high school.  Charlie’s interests are different than most people’s which is part of what makes it hard for Charlie to fit in. One thing that Charlie and I both appreciate is good music.  In the book, which takes place mostly in 1991, Charlie enjoys making mixtapes for his friends. He finds, that this is one thing that he is very good at.  Because of this, I would give Charlie a mixtape as a gift if I was ever given the opportunity.

I would give charlie a mixtape with all of my favorite music on it. Charlie would really like the gift because he would appreciate that he was being given the gift of music.  Charlie likes hearing new music that he can add to his collection. I would put both personal favorites and new music on it that I think he would like.  Charlie goes through many difficult situations in the book and music has a great ability to make troubles go away. Charlie had a hard time with handling his emotions and I always find that music helps.

21. Tell in your own words how the setting of the story made it more interesting.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower  took place in Pennsylvania focusing on several high school students. Working in a high school currently made this book very interesting for me.  Many of the themes that are addressed in the book are addressed every day at school.  Many of the problems that Charlie faces are real life struggles that our students face in real life.  Socially speaking, school can be very difficult for many students.

This book takes place in 1991, but the issues faced by charlie and still faced by high school students today. Societal pressures can be very high and stressful for our students. The need to “fit in” can be overwhelming for many. Thankfully, Charlie finds his place and it is comforting for me when I see students find their place and comfort zone. Students today face a wide range of stressors that students never faced before. Technology can be our students best friend or worst nightmare.  It is important for Teachers to understand this too and to be cognizant of why students may be behaving they way they are.