Critical Literacy and Representation
It's long been accepted that we must ensure that we are looking at information and considering evidence from various sources (i.e, "both sides," by which we usually mean both the pros and cons of a topic, or, these days, both conservative and liberal opinions). But critical literacy (which is related to, but not the same as, critical thinking) is a useful theory that calls us to do more than this. When we look at information (and disinformation) from a critical literacy perspective, we consider issues related to power and privilege. We ask questions like: Whose views are prioritized? What and who is left out? What cultures and/or identities does this message center? How might different people interpret this message differently? Who is the target audience? Who benefits from this message? What values and ideologies does the creator imply?
A corollary to this is that we need to actively seek out diverse creators of information (which is related to, but not the same as, seeking different perspectives). We need to ensure that we listen to the voices of people who identify in various ways, especially those whose voices have often been silenced and/or underrepresented: BIPOC, gay, trans, differently abled, old, young, incarcerated, and on and on. Intersectionality is part of this conversation as well.
As a white, female, middle-aged, middle-class, able, cis-gendered, straight woman who likes to be vocal and share my opinions, I know I, for one, really have to do better in not only considering the perspectives of people who identify differently than me, but, even more importantly, in centering them. Many libraries and librarians make concentrated efforts to offer and promote diverse books to patrons. We need to focus just as intently on offering truly diverse research and information sources.
(1) |
Comments (4)
I am a current MLIS student at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I find that most of my courses in the public library concentration weave discussions of diversity, inclusion, equity, and critical race/literacy throughout the coursework. I have been pleasantly surprised by this.
Is this something that is taught as part of library sciences curriculum? If so, do you think the training is sufficient? If not, do you have ideas about what should be done in school to prepare future librarians to take on this challenge?
Some MLIS programs have an intercultural communication course or serving diverse communities course. It would be interesting to explore the course content.
While I am not familiar with all MLIS programs, I believe most of them require a competency in some forms of global issues and diverse communities.
I earned my master's in library studies back in the early 90s at the University of Wisconsin. The importance of diversity and representation was woven through much of my coursework there, although the terminology and focus was a bit different then. I haven't been directly involved with a higher-ed library department in a long time. However, I have done some adjuncting in education departments of universities, and critical literacy as well as critical race theory and culturally relevant pedagogy are all very much a part of the curriculum there. I'd be very curious to hear what recent library school grads have to say.