The Importance of Multicultural Literature ENG/157 David McCarthy The Importance of Multicultural Literature The introduction to multicultural literature into the broad world of differing walks of life, the reader may be surprised by the similarities between the cultures as well as the differences. Cultures are as eclectic as we are as individuals, each with their own quirks, intricacies, and uniqueness that inspires individuality regarding how the vast differences between cultures correlate to our own. Upon deeper examination of multicultural literature, however; we are also given the privilege to walk the path of the individual from whose perspective we are privy to through the written word. As many have wished at …show more content…
The character represents not only what the people of Africa forced to suffer but also hope that the effect of what transpired can be overcome through perseverance despite devastation endured. The author, Ken Saro-Wiwa, also politically motivated which is a characteristic prominent within his short story “Africa Kills Her Sun”. Having sided with the minority Ogoni within his homeland of Nigeria, his protests and resistance against the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha led to his imminent execution. Within this particular short story, though, he wrote the character Bana as one who sees his acts of criminality no different from that of those in more prestigious standing. This ultimately leads the reader to question how criminal activity, such as robbery is any different from that of the sly, underhanded actions of a politician or any other individual in a position of power. Readers also develop an emotional attachment to a character, such as the main character in Chitra Divakaruni’s “Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter”. From the direct perspective of the character, the reader looks through the eyes of an elderly widow from India who struggles to find balance between her
| Whites here in the United States are classified as individuals that have origins with the Middle East, Europeans, and North Africa (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001).
In sixteen years of life, I have received an opportunity to experience different cultures, learning styles, and languages. To start of, I am an American since I was born here, but the reality is that I was raised in India. My parents’ main motivation for moving back to India was because they wanted us to embrace our traditions, and most importantly, value our family relationships. We relocated back to the US at the start of 9th grade. This transition was a huge factor for transforming me as a person. I am cognizant of the two systems, cherish both, and realize that these multicultural experiences have encouraged me to grow and mature beyond my years. Relocating from a place is not as easy as one can imagine. When compared to the US, India
Ask any American how they feel about multiculturalism you are likely to get one of two responses: either a cringe or a smile. Those that cringe will say something along the line of “Multiculturalism is the wrong way to look at things. It separates us by saying that everyone is different instead of saying that we are the same and unifying us.” Those that smile will talk about how great multiculturalism is because they get to see aspects of all different cultures on television and on the radio and they are free to explore all the different things that various cultures have to offer. In actuality, one cannot help but wonder if either of these responses reflects the true meaning of multiculturalism? What do
| Native Americans (American Indians)As the name suggests, these were the first people (natives) who lived in North America, Alaska and Hawaii. After Europeans settled in the U.S., native
People are usually categorized in terms of race and/or ethnicity. Race is a term typically used to classify people according to similar and specific physical characteristics. Ethnicity is a term more broadly used that connects people according to an inherited status such as: a shared ancestry, language, history, religion, cuisine, art, clothing style, and/or physical appearance, etc.
Ethnicity is all around us in the world. It has a special mark on every person in the world because it is what makes everyone different in their own ways. Ethnicity has different topics that branch off into others. Examples of these are Nationality, Race, Diversity, and Culture. Each of these topics have an impact on every person and group of people in good and bad ways; the top major 2 being Race and Ethnicity. Ethnicity and Race is crucial to determine who a person really is and what also brings out the light to the rest of the world.
It is this dignity that many African people's all but lost in the colonial period...The writer's duty is to help them regain it by showing them in human terms what happened to them, what they lost." (Achebe/Killam Eds. Pg. 159.)
The African culture is something to be amazed by. This is knowledge I acquired from personal experience while living in Africa. Sadly, however, it is also home to traditional ways which oppress and discriminate against women. Especially in smaller villages, where the ancient culture is more prevalent, women are classed inferior to men. The character Happy Bapetsi, a bright and young Batswana woman, witnesses gender discrimination everyday in her professional life. This limits her future gravely and allows for injustice to prevail in a modern society.
I am deserving of this Multicultural Vision Award, because it will help me to meet the goals I have set for myself. I would make the most out of my college education to pursue a greater future. When I was young my father left my family, leaving my mother to provide for my sister and I. Ever since he left my family has struggled with finances. With just one income below the national average it can be very hard. About a year ago my mom was laid off from her job in Clinton, which is where we live, and she now has to drive 25 minutes to work everyday in a different city. Not only does she have to pay for her kids, grandson, bills, and basic living necessities she has to pay more than normal for gas. Despite the struggle she tries to stay positive
Multicultural counseling are counselors who understand that the client with different cultural background from themselves will have different views and that could effect their treatment. Multicultural are aware of the different cultures and the differences in groups meaning not everyone in the same group thinks the same. MCTs advocates to enhance the traditional counseling role by teaching and consulting plans that relates to culture and roles in the healing process. They also are aware of the balance between individualism and collectivism when it comes to assessing, diagnosing and creating a treatment plan for the client (Sue & Sue, 2016).
Elisabeth says then there will never be any solution to the problem of novel in Africa if the Africans wanted a ‘living voice’. The main problem faced by them was because the African writers unlike the French and the English were not acting as writers but were actually behaving like interpreters of their exotic cultures and that the root of their problem was ‘ Having to perform your Africanness at the same time as you write.’
Multicultural literature is a way of increasing cultural awareness. Through multicultural books many young readers are able to make a connection with their own culture
Berta uses his work to tell these people's stories, and just by showing the variety of people, actions, and lives of these people, he's breaking down the ideology that Western media presents of all Africans being the same sort of tribal people. By looking at piece II from the collection, a
In what ways does Achebe describe his characters in the story? Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, is a great piece of African literature that deals with the Igbo culture, history, and the taking over their lands by the Europeans missionary. This book helps readers to learn about the Nigerian culture. It is about a man named Okonkwo, who is deeply dedicated to his tradition and to his people. He is brave but stands alone a great deal with his determination to oppose. He thinks everyone in the clan is turning into a woman when they don’t want to fight, but deep down, he’s just like them, simply afraid of how people will look at him. When he begins to become violent, he accidentally kills a man and is thrust to pass on his clan. When he is permitted to return, his society has changed dramatically. Christianity has come to teach them the different African countries of right ways, but the people of Okonkwo’s tribe have different opinions on how to live their life. Christianity doesn’t interpret their fashion of life, and so, this volume shows how communication can be a problem that can contribute to the ruin of a once powerful society. Readers will receive a fuller understanding of the characters if they learn from the book about Okonkwo as a strong human being, Ezinma as Okonkwo favorite child, and Nwoye as Okonkwo son weak and indolent.
1. 1.the story opens in the Botswana border and The chapter begins full suspense and intensity as the author does not reveal any names and only describes the surroundings and qualities of the character. The protagonist who is described as a preserved and mysterious person “infact the inner part of him was a jumble of chaotic discord, very much belied by his outer air of calm, lonely self containment”.