Multi-Cultural Literacy
edited by Simonson & Walker, Graywolf Press, 1988
reviewed by Anne Dwyer - January 2006
Multi-Cultural Literacy is a collection of essays which addresses the potential hegemony of western thought and tradition in American educational efforts. The book of essays was compiled in response to works such as Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind and E.D. Hirsh, Jr.'s Cultural Literacy , works that seek to establish a definition of literacy in quantifiable terms, i.e., according to one's knowledge of western culture. Multi-Cultural Literacy takes issue with what it deems such a shallow definition of culture. The essays work to dispel the myth of the American melting pot, and propose an understanding of American culture(s) that is less singular and more inclusive. Educators are encouraged to recognize and preserve the myriad of cultures that comprise American society through not only deepening learners understanding of European heritage and American history, but also broadening their awareness and understanding of the cultures of the rest of the world. Contributors are as various as James Baldwin, Wendell Berry, Michelle Cliff, and Carlos Fuentes, to name a few.
Although this book does not specifically address adult education as manifested in ABE, GED, and ESL, it includes essential insight for educators functioning in almost any capacity. Each essay grapples with questions and problems distinct to the preoccupations of the contributor, preoccupations ranging from the dynamics of race relations to the proper stewardship of environmental resources. Together the contributors create a compelling case for multi-culturally competent education. The essays are engaging and thought-provoking, and well worth the read.