Thread by @triciaebarvia

Discussion of “great literature” must include critique of systems that decided & still decide what qualifies as “great.” The “Canon” is a construction: it was constructed & is maintained by interests that aren’t necessarily inclusive of the full range of human exp. #DisruptTexts

https://twitter.com/HKorbey/status/1042808614791077888

Too often I see real critiques of the “canon” met with a brief acknowledgment of the importance of diverse texts but then a doubling down of the value of the “canon” / “great literature” / “classics” #DisruptTexts

When legitimate concerns about #RepresentationMatters are brought up, the response is either outright defensiveness or performative agreement. #DisruptTexts

There is real harm being done not only to students of color who may not see themselves in texts but to ALL Ss when they continue to see only certain voices (mostly White) privileged and others absent. #DisruptTexts

To gloss over this harm is, honestly, offensive. Sorry, not sorry. #DisruptTexts

I’ve also heard some Ts say that they support diverse texts, more perspectives, etc., but in the next sentence they will put qualifiers about such texts needing to be “literary” or “rigorous.” #DisruptTexts

Too often this is code used to exclude diverse texts bc they may not meet the standards by which they are judging them — standards which tend to favor the traditionally canonical texts on which Ts were educated in. #DisruptTexts

I get it. I was also raised in the “canon” and I too internalized these biases. But as Maya Angelou reminds us, “Do the best that you can until you know better. Then do better.” #DisruptTexts

(Also, there are many mediocre canonical texts that don’t seem to bother anyone. 🤔) #DisruptTexts

Another reaction I often hear is that #AllTextsMatter. 🤔

Sigh. There is only so much space. And time is one of our most valuable resources. And the fact is that by virtue of living in the US, our Ss are constantly bombarded by a White centered narrative. #DisruptTexts

If a goal of literature is to help Ss become more empathetic human beings, especially in a society today that seems more divided—and segregated—than ever, I think applying marginalized voices would be a priority. #DisruptTexts

And yes, I do agree that we should teach some classic texts so that we can problematize and deconstruct them with Ss.

So pairings work BUT not every “diverse” text must always be paired with a canonical one. Texts by POC can more than stand on their own. #DisruptTexts

Disrupt. Dismantle. Rebuild. #DisruptTexts