There are numerous facets to diversity in education, including race, gender, globalization, etc. Throughout my years of education in the United States, I was astounded by the murder of George Floyd; I was astounded by the words of University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax, who stated on the Fox Nation show that Black and Asian people are resentful of western people's disproportionally considerable achievements (Mitovich, 2022); I felt pity when I saw Rockwell (1963)’s painting named “The Problem We Live With.” I was astonished because there is no deep focus on critical literacies in Chinese culture, history, and the education system. Thus, my notion of literacy never considered racial issues. Nevertheless, the race problem in the United States is a highlighted topic of discussion in my class, as well as a daily occurrence in life and the news. Over time, my understanding of literacy has been shaped by the importance of racial and critical literacy, which highlights the significance of recognizing and valuing diverse races, identities, and cultures, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society. As such, literacy is more than just the ability to read and write; it is a multifaceted concept encompassing various literacies, including racial and critical literacy.

                                                                                           

 Racial Literacy

                  Racial literacy plays a crucial role in literacy diversity by recognizing and respecting the diverse racial identities that exist within schools and society. Guinier (2003) argues for the need for racial literacy in society, which involves a reevaluation of race as a tool used for social, geographic, and economic control of both white and non-white individuals. The need for racial literacy is not just an issue of social justice but a necessary component for building a more equitable and inclusive society for all. Racial literacy refers to a person's ability to comprehend the "racial grammar" that structures racialized hierarchies and frames the narrative of our republic, with a focus on recognizing racial injustices and comprehending the impact of racial history on contemporary society (Laura C, 2022). I believe that by embracing racial literacy, individuals can challenge the racial hierarchies that persist in society and work towards a more equitable future. It also enables people to critically analyze and deconstruct the systems of power and privilege that shape society, enabling them to create inclusive spaces where everyone can feel valued and heard.

The history of race and education proves that diversity is essential for a just society. The prohibition and punishment of literacy education for African Americans to protect white people's rights (Rogers. & Mosley, 2006). Inequalities in educational opportunities have far-reaching consequences, leading to societal and resource disparities. The predominance of white teachers and textbook authors in the US education system highlights the need for schools to provide a more inclusive space for students of diverse racial backgrounds to explore their identities and access learning opportunities. As a result of courses such as EDUC 723 and 629, I have gained some understanding of the race problem in American society and education. Sonia Nieto (2010) said that schools do not provide multicultural education by merely devoting a portion of the curriculum to diversity or covering bulletin boards with posters of children of different races. Strickland (1999) demonstrates Nieto’s belief in the illuminating power of education for both teachers and students. Under the contemporary diversity of student groups in school, we should consider how to support teachers and students.

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     Critical Literacy

                     Criticality is the ability to read print and nonprint text with a lens of understanding how power, oppression, and privilege are present. This requires educators to underscore diversity in the educational system and the whole society. This calls humans to think outside of themselves, including the cultural identities and values that they have come to know (Morrell, 2017). Put criticality concepts within literacy, asking teachers and students to learn history, face the truth, and understand power, privilege, social justice, and inequality. This is an essential step in talking about race in literacy.

                     A critical literacy framework requires students to have more space to define their identity (Morrell, 2017). Identity comprises notions of who we are, who others say we are, and whom we desire to be (Muhammad, 2018). Youth need opportunities in literacy pedagogy to explore multiple facets of self-identity and learn about the identities of others who are different from them (Muhammad, 2018). Muhammad (2018) also said that in literacy learning, as early black Americans were reading, writing, and speaking, they were learning about themselves, both their individual and collective black identities.

                    A critical literacy framework requires that teachers be positioned as intellectuals and agents of change (Morrell, 2017). New pedagogy associated with “multiliteracies” highlight that teacher, as designers of learning environment, incorporate multiple design elements to cater to meaning makers’ diversity in modal choices and linguistic and cultural backgrounds (Zhang, 2015). Morrell (2017) referred to the literacy education community for teaching and teacher learning. Due to the complexity of the profession and the ever-expanding body of knowledge, teachers need access to learning communities that enable them to reflect on and adapt their practice.

 

   Why Important

                  Within social struggles for freedom and justice, literacy has always been deeply enmeshed with race (e.g., DuBois, 1903/1989; Harris, 1992, 1998; Moore, Monaghan, & Hartman, 1997; Prendergast, 2003; Watkins, 2001; Willis, 2002; Young, 2001). Racial literacy is crucial in education, where opportunities continue to be stratified along racial lines. Teachers are often underprepared to understand the impact of racism or to know how to address race in their classrooms (Steven, 2014; Gaine, 2001). This topic is important to me since I learned the education history from EDUC 729; in the United States slavery era, the education of enslaved African Americans was actively discouraged, and in most Southern states, it was made illegal except for religious instruction (Wikipedia, 2023). Even now, there still exists injustice in the education system about race and diversity. I want to change this situation and make education justice.

 

  Reference

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Mitovich, J. (2022) Amy Wax repeats racist rhetoric on national television amid. ongoing University Investigation, The Daily Pennsylvanian. The Daily Pennsylvanian. Available at: https://www.thedp.com/article/2022/04/penn-law-amy-wax-tucker-carlson-interview-reignites-controversy (Accessed: April 26, 2023). 

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