Integrating Antiracist Education Strategies into the English Classroom

Analyzing Multimodal Texts

strategy / concept

Different perspectives brought up by texts can expand readers’ interpretation skills
analyzing multimodal texts.

Different analytical perspectives can be used to look at multimodal texts.
Each perspective is necessary as it helps build a foundation for comprehending texts.
Interaction with text through these analytical perspectives help students form their own ideas and analyses of the text.

implementation

The different analytical perspectives strategy can potentially be implemented in a classroom setting and prove to be beneficial to students' analysis abilities.
using the strategy of different analytical perspectives can help a student understand the work better. Using different perspectives when reading any text can help students understand different aspects of the text better.
Using different perspectives that students aren’t used to could also challenge them to think critically while reading.
Applying these different perspectives can also help students understand the perspectives that are presented in ethnically diverse literature, since people of different backgrounds may experience certain things differently.

Serafini, Frank. “Reading Multimodal Texts: Perceptual, Structural and Ideological Perspectives.” Children’s Literature in Education, vol. 41, no. 2, June 2010, pp. 85–104. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-010-9100-5.

Selecting Diverse Literature

Strategy / Concept

Students can gain English language skills by reading a diverse set of literature
America is culturally diverse so it is important for students’ schools and education system to incorporate a diversity of cultures into education
Exposure to multicultural literature allows reader to obtain knowledge about different cultures

Ethnically diverse literature should be implemented into learning. The author of the article brings up some examples of multicultural books that can be implemented into the classroom, such as "The Paper Crane," "Tanili: An Afro-cuban Folktale," by Retana, and "My Name is Bilal," by Mobin-Uddin.
The strategy promotes selecting literature that is ethnically diverse and provides a guide to selecting appropriate culturally diverse literature.
The author includes a chart within the article on page 105 that includes categories such as authentic characters, genuine narrative, authentic plot and setting, no stereotypes, and images that truly represent the culture. The article states how students can acquire English language skills by reading diverse literature, therefore it is important to incorporate it into learning.

Implementation

This article provides an interesting strategy that could potentially be implemented in a future classroom. It will be beneficial to student learning.
Not only is it important to consider culturally diverse literature, but this author presents an interesting strategy on how to select it.
With the chart provided in the article, an individual can analyze a book based on its content, such as characters, setting and images. Then they can determine the authenticity of this work and whether it should be implemented in the classroom.
This chart could potentially assist a teacher in selecting culturally diverse literature in their future classroom. Using this chart, they can analyze and evaluate the quality and relevance of a diverse literature piece and then determine if they want to teach it.

America itself is culturally diverse, so it is important for schools and education to recognize that.

Giambo, Debra, et al. “Beyond Johnny Appleseed: Learning English as a New Language Through Ethnically Diverse Literature.” Childhood Education, vol. 83, no. 2, Winter2006/2007 2006, pp. 104–07. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=23507058&site=ehost-live.

Identity Representation

Strategy / Concept

Main focus is on the racial injustices in education and how they should be addressed.
A topic that is brought up is critical race theory and how the linguistic representation of native American languages are represented in a negative manner. The author states that it reflects colonial norms.
Several identities, such as the native American identity are being marginalized. They are being marginalized in topics such as linguistics and awareness on this must be raised. Because of that, there is underrepresentation of native Americans in education.

Implementation

The main takeaway here was the concept of identity and marginalization that many scholars face.
A particular strategy that can be identified after reading this article, is to raise awareness on different identities and how they should be recognized in an educational setting. For example, this article has a strong focus on the lack of Native American representation in subjects such as linguistics.
One potential thing a teacher can do in a future classroom setting is include some Native American works. Another thing a future teacher can do is not only select culturally diverse literature, but to teach the students about the diverse authors and their identity, since identity is an important aspect of diverse literature.

LEONARD, WESLEY Y. “Insights from Native American Studies for Theorizing Race and Racism in Linguistics (Response to Charity Hudley, Mallinson, and Bucholtz).” Language, vol. 96, no. 4, Dec. 2020, pp. e281–91. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1353/lan.2020.0079.

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/775382

Student Roles and Involvement

Strategy / Concept

Students can be agents for antiracist changes in school. They can work alongside teachers to raise awareness and help create a change in the education system to incorporate more antiracist education.
Students can play a role in supporting antiracist change in the school system and their home environments.
Teachers can reevaluate their assumptions and knowledge on racism. They can educate themselves on the topic
Schools themselves attempt to incorporate antiracist change into education.

Implementation

Encourage student involvement on this topic. Educate students on race and racism and allow them to see from others' perspectives.
Classroom discussions regarding race and the issue of racism can be implemented into the classroom to challenge students to think about and analyze these topics.
Students can find different books and articles that talk about race and share with the classroom.
Encourage and create student clubs or organizations to raise awareness on racism issues and to educate on race.

Gillborn, David. “Student Roles and Perspectives in Antiracist Education: A Crisis of White Ethnicity?” British Educational Research Journal, vol. 22, no. 2, Apr. 1996, p. 165. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/0141192960220202.

Different Approach to Education

Strategy / Concept

Incorporate different approaches and perspectives into education. Diversify these approaches rather than just sticking to the Eurocentric approach
Education is a tool which can be used to counter systemic oppression.
Lack of approaches and perspectives taught in schools leads to marginalization of students. Their cultural heritage is often overlooked.
Students should not be subjected to the practice of othering in school. Limiting to only one perspective in education can cause this.

Implementation

Explore more views and approaches in aspects of education, such as literature. Offer different perspectives
If More approaches are taught, students can recognize that there are a diversity of perspectives
Possibly incorporate texts of several authors about the same topic to discover how a diverse group of people can experience the same event differently

Salem, Wesam M., and Gina E. Tillis. “Moving the Needle: (Re)Imagining Antiracist Education for Our Children.” Multicultural Perspectives, vol. 23, no. 3, July 2021, pp. 167–72. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/15210960.2021.1982365.

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