# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
General Resources Where To Find Diverse Books Resources for Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion COVID-19 Resources Diverse-owned Bookstores Cultural Accuracy Editorial Services from Kevin Ande…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ever notice how most 'classic' book lists seem to have the same books over and over? Looking for some classic literature by people of

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Even the most cursory inventory of U.S. children's literature reveals a lack of diversity in book characters (it's a whole lot of boys and dogs- just ask Marley Dias). There's been a commendable effort to provide students with windows and mirrors by increasing the number of books with diverse main characters in classrooms and school libraries. But it's not enough-kids need access to diverse books by diverse authors.

The term #OwnVoices was coined by writer Corinne Duyvis to refer to books by authors from marginalized or under-represented groups writing from their own perspectives. (Think: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.) That's important because a lot of diverse characters are written by people who don't share their identities. In fact, a study by the Cooperative Children's Book Center found that last year, only 46.4% of children's books featuring Black or African characters were written or illustrated by Black or African authors and/or illustrators. And that's a huge problem for our kids. Here's why they need #OwnVoices books:

They're more authentic

It's not that you can't write effectively outside your own experience, but think about it. One of the first lessons we're taught is to write what we know. When we write from what we ourselves have lived, we speak from a place of authority. We are also better able to produce nuanced work that rings true to those with similar experiences.

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

They're more accurate

Historically, privileged people have told the stories of marginalized communities. Even when well-intentioned, many of those books are inaccurate and, in some cases, even harmful. For example, as much as I love The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats's book Goggles has been widely criticized for showing Archie and Peter playing in what appears to be a dump. One of the benefits of #OwnVoices literature is that it comes from a place of deep understanding one can only achieve through lived experience.

They capture a range of experiences

These books aren't about a single group. They represent a variety of identities, including LGBTQ+, people of color, people with disabilities, and religious minorities. The more #OwnVoices books that are available, the more likely all students are to find books that resonate with them. Having a wide variety of books also gives students insight into the lives of folks who are different from them.

They empower

Students with marginalized identities crave books that reflect their experiences. Seeing themselves in the books they read can be validating and show them that they're not alone. Sometimes, finding out that the author doesn't share their identity takes away from the impact because "they don't really understand me."

They inspire

Kids who see published authors who identify as they do may be inspired to become writers themselves. Another argument for promoting #OwnVoices books is that minority group authors face many hurdles to publishing that majority group authors don't. So lifting up diverse authors now can help open up that path for budding authors of the future.
What are your favorite #OwnVoices titles for kids? Share in the comments. Plus, 20 #OwnVoices Books to Share with Middle and High School Kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
All posts by Kimmie Fink, M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids Don't Just Need Diverse Books ... They Need Diverse Authors

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the push to give students access to more diverse books, we can't forget the importance of diverse authors writing about their own experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For most of us, diversity is part of our everyday lives. We regularly interact with people from different backgrounds as we go about our day and never think too much about it.

So why should what we read be any different?

That's the question asked by the #WeNeedDiverseBooks and #DiversityinYA movement, which started in 2011 in response to conversations between authors Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo, who wondered why people thought they wouldn't enjoy their YA fantasy books just because they were in fantasy Asian settings.

The conversation expanded on Twitter in 2014 to include author Ellen Oh, and the three questioned why major book conferences like BookExpo kept having panels made up of all white men.

Turns out, plenty of other people had been thinking the same thing (especially in the science fiction and fantasy worlds), and #WeNeedDiverseBooks was born, soon followed by other offshoots aimed at getting more diverse characters into the books we read-and especially the books kids read.

June is Pride Month, and so it's a time when many of us are more conscious about issues of diversity and inclusion than we might be normally.

But when LGBTQ people, people of color, and others have to struggle every day to be accepted into mainstream society and simply treated like the ordinary folks they are, why does including a diverse range of characters in fiction matter?

Fiction Shows Who We Are

Simply put, fiction shows who we are.

Humans have been telling stories for as long as we've been able to communicate. It brings us together and it allows us to pass on knowledge, share wisdom, issue warnings, and relieve tension.

Storytelling is the essence of who we are.

And so stories themselves are capsules of who we are-they represent our hopes, our dreams, our fears, and our goals.

But when the stories that most people read consist of white upper-class characters, they don't represent everyone doing the reading.

This is a particular problem in children's and YA literature, because kids need to see themselves represented in order to develop healthy self-images and to feel comfortable with who they are. Teens, in particular, may struggle with accepting themselves-imagine being an LGBTQ teen in a small town, trying to come to terms with your identity. You may not see other folks like you out and about in town...and you're not always seeing them in books, either, making you feel even more isolated.

By including characters from diverse racial, sexual, and other backgrounds, books can become more truly representative of the fabric of life in this big, messy, crazy world of ours-and therefore they can help us learn more about ourselves and others.

As Walter Dean Meyers, an author and publishing expert, has said, "As I discovered who I was, a black teenager in a white-dominated world, I saw that these characters, these lives, were not mine. What I wanted, needed really, was to become an integral and valued part of the mosaic that I saw around me."

Reading fiction about the way the world around us really is, with its diverse tapestry of people, backgrounds, and ideas, helps us better deal with that reality and to celebrate it every day.

Fiction Shows Who We Want to Be

But fiction doesn't just show us who we are-it shows us who we dream of being.

Science fiction and fantasy, especially, can give us glimpses of the best and worst of humanity as they present broad life lessons in parable form.

Think about Hunger Games or Divergent and the lessons they taught about embracing challenges, fighting oppression, and being the best you can be. Inspiring, right?

The call for more diversity in literature supports those messages by including everyone in their representation, urging writers to depict the world as it should be, with everyone coexisting regardless of race, religion, sexuality, etc.

There will always be conflict, because that's part of human nature, but conflict is also a part of storytelling. We don't have to sit around and sing "Kumbaya" to recognize that there's more out there than a single viewpoint or a single cultural background-and to represent that in fiction.

The Stats

The problem of a lack of broad representation of different people in fiction has been recognized since at least 1965.

That year, The Saturday Review published an article titled " The All-White World of Children's Books " detailing how only 6.7% of children's books published in the past three years had included black characters.

For 2013, the numbers weren't much better: only 10% of children's books included people of color, even though a full 37% of the United States-and most of the rest of the world!-wasn't white.

There haven't been many similar studies done on representations of LGBTQ people in children's and YA books, but the numbers are probably very similar. For instance, author Malinda Lo compiles her own statistics on LGBTQ representation among traditional publishers, and found that 47 YA books with queer characters or themes appeared in 2014-not many, considering all the YA books published that year, but a 59% increase from the mere 29 books published by mainstream publishers in 2013.

Thankfully, the tides have started to turn thanks to the broader awareness brought by social media and the fact that people who care can now communicate and come together to promote change no matter where they are.

What Do We Mean by Diversity?

Diversity can mean many things to many people.

Often, diversity movements focus on race representation, looking to have more people of color turn up as fully realized characters in fiction.

But diversity is far more than skin deep. LGBTQ characters, disabled or differently abled characters, and people of different ethnicities, religions, and political leanings are all often marginalized in fiction.

Authors devoted to diversity are starting to bring these people into the mainstream in their writing. We're seeing more and more autistic characters, physically challenged characters, deaf or blind characters, and characters with mental health issues turning up. Gay, lesbian, bi, trans*, and asexual characters are starting to appear in books, too-and not just as the token Gay Best Friend in a chick-lit book.

That's the other key: diversity in books means writing real people as full characters, not giving a walk-on part to a half-Polynesian gay hairdresser who only appears for two pages to deliver a punchline for the protagonist.

Diversity means including real people throughout all levels of fiction (and nonfiction), representing real struggles and challenges-and the complete mundane ordinariness of life, too!

True diversity often means having a boring, normal life and just being an average person. Rather than highlighting how out of the ordinary a non-white, non-upper-class, non-straight, differently abled person is, diverse fiction just drops in a character who didn't come out of a Barbie box and presents them as a real, complex person, not just a stereotype or a sidekick.

How to Get Involved

Publishing is a business, and so many of the Big 5 publishers will only start putting out books featuring diverse characters as anything other than token figures when there's enough demand for them.

Small, independent presses and indie authors are churning out books featuring characters of all stripes, making them the leading lights in ensuring that fiction represents fact when it comes to who appears.

Here's how you can get involved with promoting diversity in literature of all kinds.

Read

Read diverse fiction!

It's the easiest, most effective way to make a change. When more readers vote with their wallets, publishers will take notice.

Whatever your favorite genre, make it a point to pick up a book with non-white or non-heterosexual characters the next time you're looking for a new read. Try something representing a different religion or cultural background from what you normally read.

You can find lots of lists and reviews of diverse books all over the internet. A few good ones include:

When you read a book with a diverse character, speak out about it! Note it in a review on Amazon or Goodreads or your blog. Keep the conversation going and it will encourage others to get involved, too.

Request books with diverse characters at your local library or your bookstore. Creating demand for these books will encourage mainstream publishers to produce more of them and will help booksellers and librarians make the case for including them on the shelves as a normal part of business.

Write

Writers, start thinking about who you're depicting in your books.

Is there a particular reason that character has to be white? Could she be black, Thai, Filipina, Indian, First Nations, or anything else instead? Would it really make a difference to who she is?

Consider adding characters who have physical or mental challenges, or who identify as LGBTQ.

Sure, it can be hard to write such characters accurately and sensitively when you're not a member of one of those groups yourself-but hey, female authors write male characters and males write female characters all the time. Think of it as stretching your skills as a writer!

Do your research, reach out to people in the community you're writing about, and challenge yourself to start representing the world you see around you more accurately and completely in your books.

Check Your Cover

That includes making sure that if you have a diverse cast of characters in your book, they're represented well on the cover. Many books with diverse casts have "whitewashed" covers that include either generic silhouettes or stock images of white people that don't accurately represent what's going on in the pages.

Indie authors have much more control over our covers than traditionally published authors, and authors who choose to work with small independent presses also often have a lot of influence over the final cover art. Just as it's important that your cover represents your genre and the tone of your work, it's important to pay attention to how your characters are represented.

Your readers will thank you!

Reach Out

There are vibrant communities both in person and online that are dedicated to promoting diversity throughout all fiction.

Consider getting involved as a way to learn more about the world and the people around you-and to develop your skills and range as a writer.

Some fantastic resources are available for writers interested in diversity:

Lambda Literary: Lambda Lit holds that "LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published and read." It publishes reviews of literature with LGBTQ characters or themes (you can submit your book here), promotes calls for submissions for queer topics and writers, and has an annual award program that recognizes outstanding books, writers, and publishers.Lambda Lit also offers a Writers Retreat for emerging voices in queer literature to come together, build relationships, and hone their craft, supporting the development of a more vibrant queer writers' community.

The Tiptree Award: The Tiptree Award seeks to recognize and celebrate authors and works of speculative fiction that go past standard definitions of gender and sexuality. The annual award is open to nominations and recommendations from anyone, not just a select jury, to broaden the field and include as many viewpoints as possible.The Tiptrees focus on the idea that there's no such thing as "men's fiction" and "women's fiction," but rather writing that appeals to all of us with its skill and immediacy.

We Need Diverse Books: Founded by YA authors with a focus on increasing the representation of diverse backgrounds in children's and young adult literature, We Need Diverse Books was the spark that touched off a fire of diversity thinking in the publishing world.The nonprofit offers awards, grants, contests, reading lists, and resources for both writing diverse literature and including diverse literature in bookstores, libraries, and the classroom.

Diversity in YA: Another YA-focused initiative, Diversity in YA has been on hiatus since 2015, but it's still a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in exploring diversity in youth fiction.Author interviews, statistics, discussions, and writing tips help authors and readers alike think more deeply about how what we read affects how we see the world and those around us.

Diversity in fiction isn't just a feel-good campaign designed to be politically correct. It's a movement meant to help ensure that what's on our bookshelves better represents reality, as messy and chaotic as it can be.

By reading, writing, and engaging with diverse characters, we improve as writers, see the world more clearly, and share everyone's stories.

For more on fiction's place in our lives, check out these articles:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Diversity in Literature Matters - TCK Publishing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn why diversity in literature matters and discover ways you can include more diverse characters in your stories.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Read Aloud: The Colors Of Us By: Karen Katz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
*New* Read Aloud Story called The Proudest Blue by Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
📪Kids Read Aloud: "Same, Same but Different" by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"We assume whiteness is the default because whiteness, historically, has been the default. This is one of the many reasons diverse representation matters so much. We need to change the default." -Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, Hunger, Difficult Women, and An Untamed State, from an interview with The Rumpus

These picture and board books are geared towards children ages newborn to eight, depending on reading level.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Books by Authors and Illustrators of Color

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"We assume whiteness is the default because whiteness, historically, has been the default. This is one of the many reasons diverse representation matters so much. We need to change the default." -Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, Hunger, Difficult Women, and An Untamed State, from an interview with The Rumpus These picture and board books are geared towards children ages newborn to eight, depending on reading level.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Preparing for Cultural Diversity: Resources for Teachers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How can teachers prepare for diverse classrooms? There isn’t a definitive answer, but there is a wealth of resources online. Discover some helpful links for teachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Importance of Diversity & Multicultural Awareness in Education

Drexel University School of Education

Cultural diversity in the classroom is on the rise. In 2014, U.S. public schools hit a minority majority milestone with Latino, African-American, and Asian students having surpassed the number of white students. In 2044, the U.S. Census predicts that over half of the nation's population will be people of color, so this trend will likely continue.

In our increasingly diverse and multicultural society, it's more important than ever for teachers to incorporate culturally responsive instruction in the classroom -- whether teaching elementary school, middle school or high school students. And the increase of diversity doesn't only relate to race and ethnicity; it can include students of different religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and language background.

Interested in becoming a teacher? Learn more about Drexel's Teacher Certification program.

Why is it Important to Encourage Diversity in Schools and Workplaces?

Fostering inclusion and awareness around multicultural education and taking a culturally responsive approach to teaching benefits all students. Not only does creating greater multicultural awareness and inclusion help students with different backgrounds and needs succeed, but it encourages acceptance and helps prepare students to thrive in an exponentially diverse world. Our Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness Certificate Program is a great opportunity for teachers to learn how to create positive classroom environments and can serve as a foundation for understanding how to promote diversity in your classroom.

Diversity in and out of the classroom will continue to grow, so it's essential we prepare students to adapt to an evolving world and embrace those different from themselves. Learn more how the programs at the Drexel School of Education are helping to prepare more culturally-responsive educators today.

Types of Cultural Diversity in the Classroom

Every student is unique. In order to properly understand and promote cultural awareness, teachers need to understand all the different types of diversity they may encounter in their classrooms including:

Race

A person's skin color can have a great impact on their experience in society. It can also impact how they view themselves and others when engaging in classroom activities.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity relates to a person's culture and nationality. Ethnicity is sometimes confused with race, but it is important to recognize that while some people may have the same skin color, they may come from different places and have vastly different cultural beliefs and views of the world.

Religion

It is important to understand that people have different religious belief or no religious beliefs, and it may impact their participation in the classroom. Students may react differently to lessons based on their religion or may not be able to be present on certain religious holidays.

Language

While English is commonly used in American classrooms, for some students, it is not the language they speak at home. Accommodations should be made to help students for whom English is a second language.

Socioeconomic Status

A student's socioeconomic status can affect their ability to participate in the classroom without some type of accommodation. For instance, access to a computer at home or reliable internet access is not a given for some children. Teachers should be aware of this and the stress it may cause students who may struggle due to a lack of resources.

Sexual Orientation

A student's sexual orientation can have a great impact on how they are experiencing the world. Teachers should understand the struggles that exist and ensure that the lessons taught in their classroom are inclusive.

Gender Identity

Similar to sexual orientation, it is important to understand each student's gender identity and how they would prefer to be recognized. Teachers should respect their student's identity and use preferred pronouns when interacting with their students.

How can you Promote Diversity and Multiculturalism in the Classroom?

There are several ways teachers and administrators, such as principals and coaches, can ensure that both the classroom environment and curriculum are responsive to the increasing cultural diversity of our society. These strategies will encourage all students' cultural awareness, enhancing each student's sense of identity, and foster inclusion in the classroom community.

1. Get to Know Your Students Ensuring that cultural awareness is promoted in the classroom starts with the teacher understanding each individual student. Take the time to learn about each student's cultural background, hobbies, learning styles, and what makes them unique. Demonstrating a genuine interest in learning about each student and their culture will help establish trust and allow you to form a bond with them so they feel valued. If students feel appreciated by and comfortable with the teacher, there's a better chance they'll feel comfortable talking with and respect their peers in the class - and communication is the core to a culturally aware and inclusive classroom.

2. Maintain Consistent Communication Aside from getting to know your students, teachers should also continue to maintain ongoing communication throughout the semester or school year. Scheduling 1-on-1 meetings with students to "check in" every so often will allow you to consistently improve how accessible the classroom is to everyone. Students can talk about whether they felt included in the classroom culture. This can help identify issues or ways to improve the overall experience. It's also an opportunity to discuss their progress in the class and offer guidance on how they can improve, based on their individual needs as a student.

3. Acknowledge and Respect Every Student It's also important for students to celebrate and respect their own diverse backgrounds, as well as each other's. When appropriate, teachers should encourage students to research and learn about their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This allows them to better understand their own culture as well as the differences and nuances with their peers. As a bonus, this can be a great ice breaker assignment, allowing students to give presentations about their family traditions and culture to help expose the class to concepts outside of their own familiar comfort zone. Acknowledging these differences and creating a safe space for discussion helps promote understanding in the classroom and beyond. Also, as you encourage students to learn about their diverse backgrounds, remember to take the time to highlight what's offensive and the distinction between cultural celebration and appropriation. Learning how to talk about other cultures in a respectful, mature way is essential for success in life outside the classroom.

4. Practice Cultural Sensitivity While it's important to keep an open dialogue amongst students, it's equally as important to make sure you're being sensitive to everyone's culture, beliefs, and language concerns. Take the time to understand each student's cultural nuances - from learning styles to the language they use - and use these insights to design your lesson plans. For example, provide English language learners with appropriate and relevant resources that help them improve their English comprehension skills. Rather than teach with a traditional lecture style, create learning experiences that are more interactive and require collaboration. These considerations will help ensure that every student feels included, is given the space to learn in their own way and is given a chance to succeed.

5. Incorporate Diversity in the Lesson Plan The classroom environment is important for fostering cultural awareness, but you also should ensure diversity is represented in your actual lesson plan. For example, broaden history lessons so that they encompass the world beyond United States history and culture. Or, use references and analogies to other cultures in your lessons and assignments to help students with diverse backgrounds personally connect. Another great strategy is bringing in diverse speakers to add varying points of view and real-life context to different subjects.There are several ways you can ingrain cultural awareness and diversity into your lesson plan, and it will vary depending on the cultures represented in your classroom and the course you're teaching. Regardless of the subject, always try to present and connect lessons to real-world issues. It's easier to promote cultural awareness within your lessons when there's a real example for students to relate to.

6. Give Students Freedom and Flexibility Teachers often feel like they need to take on a strict, authoritative approach when it comes to managing their classroom. The most valuable lessons are often learned through a student's own experiences, so giving them some freedom in the course encourages more connection to the curriculum. Allow students to read and present their own materials that relate to the fundamental lesson so they can approach the topic from their own perspective. As a teacher, you can act as a facilitator and encourage conversation and healthy debate between diverse opinions. Group assignments are also a great way to expose students to diverse perspectives, allowing them to work together to explore and solve a problem. This will also help prepare them for a diverse workforce where they'll have to partner with a range of people to accomplish their professional goals.

Why is it Multicultural Education Important to Students?

It is important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term. Teaching diversity exposes students to various cultural and social groups, preparing students to become better citizens in their communities. These culturally responsive teaching strategies will help you to promote diversity in the classroom.

With these culturally responsive teaching strategies in mind, it's important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term.

Students Become More Empathetic

Promoting awareness and creating a personal connection with diverse cultures in the classroom can prevent students from developing prejudices later in life. It allows them to empathize with people different from themselves since they're more aware of the experiences someone of a different race or cultural group may face.

Students Gain a Better Understanding of Lessons and People

When working and learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures present in the classroom, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It also teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse working environment.

Students Become More Open-Minded

Naturally, by exposing students to a diverse range of opinions, thoughts, and cultural backgrounds, you're encouraging them to be more open-minded later in life. This will make them open to new ideas and be able to attain a greater comprehension on a topic by taking in different points of view.

Students Feel More Confident and Safe

Students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social groups and feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.

Students Are Better Prepared for a Diverse Workplace

With the rise of globalization, it's more important to be able to work with people from different cultures and social groups. If students are exposed to diversity and learn cultural awareness in the classroom, it sets them up to flourish in the workforce.

Learn More About Cultural Diversity in Education

There are additional resources available to help educators grow their knowledge of cultural diversity and apply it to their classrooms. Here are a few sites where you can find more information:

Additionally, Drexel offers programs that can help broaden a teacher's expertise in multicultural education including our online Teaching English as a Second Language and Social Emotional and Behavioral Wellness certification programs. You can also contact us to request more information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Importance of Multicultural Education - School of Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As classrooms become more diverse, it's crucial for students to learn about other cultures. Discover how students benefit from classroom diversity with Drexel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Multiculturalism and Diversity | Scholastic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Resources that foucs on the topic of multiculturalism and diversity. Includes professional articles and resources, lesson plans, and activities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unlocking the potential of diversity in education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unlocking the potential of diversity in education | Sagithjan Surendra | TEDx Ruhr University Bochum #tedxrub2019 #embracetheunexpected #equalityineducation Sagithjan Surendra challenges us to imagine a world where everybody - no matter the social and financial circumstances - can embrace their full potential.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Alex Sharpe: AP Teacher Diversity: The Unspoken Issue in our Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Across America, African-American and Latino students are sitting alone in Advanced Placement (AP) classes with no one who looks like them. The lack of student diversity can be contributed to to a nearly all-white AP teacher body. If more effort was placed on integrating the teacher population, the demographics of AP students would begin to diversify.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
8 Powerful Ways to Promote Equity in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All Posts Every student in my classroom deserves an equal chance. Agree or disagree? Responding to the level of diversity in your classroom is more important than ever. But all too often, our education system reinforces the same inequalities it was designed to overcome.