Why it’s Important

Perception is everything. At a young age, we are bombarded with the idea of “normal” through different media channels. Since reading is such an integral part of child development, it is just as critical to make sure the materials being consumed represent the diverse world we live in. Psychologically one might ask what impact a bookshelf full of stories that feature only white protagonists has on a person of color or, on the other hand, what effect a bookshelf full of diverse and representative literature might have on a young reader?

An author aims for an engaged readership. Engaged readers are reliant on connections to the material they are reading. English courses and composition courses demand that students find a link when analyzing literature in school. The assumption that the melting pot of a modern classroom translates across the pages of classic literature is simply false. Imagine receiving a reading list for school and finding that the only time a person of color is featured in the narrative is as an enslaved person. Classics are classics for a reason, but some incorporation of modern literature is crucial in forming connections with readers.

Suppose the first foray into being a reader is being force-fed a teacher’s literary agenda. In that case, the books should stray from a period when LGBTQ+ and BIPOC in society were met with disdain or kept entirely from the narrative. If that connection to literature is not formed at a young age, then the likelihood of this child taking up reading outside of the classroom decreases significantly. If a student hates reading in the classroom, presumably because they don’t connect with the material they are given in school, why would they feel compelled to pick up a book at home and read for pleasure? With a genuinely never-ending amount of stories today that place those once excluded at the forefront of the narrative, it is almost shameful to stick strictly to the classics in a school setting.

How We Can Learn From It

Inclusivity is integral to modern literature and the modern reader. Still, we often discuss only how positive it is for people of color or the LGBTQ+ community to find representation in literature. We neglect to mention how important it is for Cisgender white people to be exposed to stories that may feel unfamiliar to them. Perception stems from exposure, and if we stay in a “classic” literary bubble, it does very little to expose how diverse the world we live in truly is. The implications of sticking to the classics are making people of color or the LGBTQ+ perceive that their stories are not worth discussing.

YA literature is brimming with stories of those who have been marginalized in the past. Suppose these books are introduced into the school curriculum. In that case, the door opens for meaningful conversations that may otherwise be avoided. In addition, there are topics to be explored through literature that may serve as a buffer between a genuine question and the fear of judgment from peers. If we can use literature to speak to our peers about topics that one might not feel safe bringing up otherwise, then the depth of the conversation can be much more rewarding.

If a home is not a safe space to discuss topics like sexuality, mental health, or racial inequalities, then books can provide solace for a student with questions. Someone who doesn’t know how to voice their feelings might find the only way to understand their concerns is through a book exploring a topic like gender and sexuality. Exploration of representative literature may be the difference between compassion and blind ignorance. If we listen to stories that only mirror lives that resemble our own, we are doing a great disservice to society. In the same way that travel has the power to alter one’s perception of life, books can immerse a reader in a world that either teaches them something new or reminds them that they are not alone.