It is said that fiction increase/improves empathy. How can reading books from diverse cultures and lifestyles help increase our cultural competence, as well as tweens? Feel free to use examples from other reading such as Higher Power of Lucky (rural) or Are you there God? (religion)
Cultural competence is very important because it allows all people to feel comfortable in their own skin. Tweens are struggling with the changes in their lives, bodies, and minds. Feeling accepted is important to everyone, at any age. When people understand different cultures, they are more inclined to accept them for who they are.
I read Bud, Not Buddy and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. The diary was very interesting to me because I live in Spokane, Washington. I know where the reservation is and I know the "white" school Arnold went to. I am part Native American and the story really interested me because I have never lived on a reservation. I do not have a lot of knowledge as to what happens there and what the priorities are like. The fact he was treated so terribly in the outskirts of my city was hard to swallow, but informative. The ending of this book was the most powerful part to me. Arnold explains how he is still Native and part of this tribe, but he has not given up on being something more. He embraces who he is and uses that to be successful. Understanding the struggles that the Native Americans go though to this day is extremely important to becoming a culturally competent librarian as well as citizen. This book allows tweens, teens, and adults to see into the sadness of the Spokane reservation.
Bud, not Buddy was an interesting story of finding oneself. This book was an amazing story and after reading it, I understood why it is still popular after all these years. This book was not as shocking to me because there has been a lot of information about how badly the white people treated people of color.The interesting piece for me was the class difference. Bud was used to poverty and the change in scenery was exciting to him, but showed the reader the huge gap among the "haves" and "have nots."
There are many ways we are all different. As a librarian, it is our responsibility to provide access to all different cultures. It is also very helpful for us to be knowledgeable about other cultures. People from different part of cities, different socioeconomic classes, lifestyles, and belief systems all need to try to understand each other in order to live in a world where acceptance is prevalent.
I read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, as well. I found the book to be informative and insightful into Native American life on a reservation and how a lot of people on reservations struggle with alcohol dependence and poverty. I'm proud of the character Arnold Spirit, Jr. for choosing to improve his circumstances, even though that meant going to a "white" school and thus being ostracized by people on the rez. I think that going against the norm and showing tweens that it's okay to try reaching for your dreams is important and worthwhile. Tweens need to see that there is struggle and conflict, and that life is not a cakewalk. Rising above one's circumstances, or a more hopeful future is within reach. Sherman Alexie showed readers through his character Arnold that believing in one's self is the first step to achieving excellence. When one has opportunities to become a better person- whether it's through education or whatnot- take it. That is how powerful good literature can be- it can make the reader empathize with the characters and embolden change within the reader's thinking and actions. As librarians, we can seek out quality literature like this to share with our patrons, and spread empathy and understanding through reading. Ultimately, we can create a more thoughtful community and society because people who read and empathize will have walked in the characters' shoes.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right on with this one. Sherman Alexie did a fabulous job creating a character who strives to be more than the way he was raised. I found it sad that the stereotypes of alcoholism was in this book. It made it more of a reality. The poverty was very sad as well. Thank you for your thoughts!
DeleteI read the diary of a part-time Indian too and I was fascinated by how different his two lives seemed to be. I liked your comment about our opportunities as Librarians to provide information on all cultures. I really empathized with the character of the book and felt that I gained a better appreciation for this group of people. I completely agree with Jennifer's comment that powerful Literature can change us into better thinkers and better people who are more empathetic to those who are different from us. I grew up in a small community with little diversity, and I feel that reading these type of books with such diversity has really help to open my eyes and gain an appreciation for cultures that are not my own.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph is so true. As a librarian it is our responsibility to "provide access to all different cultures". Providing a mirror for kids of color is empowering for themselves. Allowing the publication of books for tweens from an authentic perspective is providing good literature for all. Thank you for sharing your connection with Alexie's book.
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