Literacy and Racial Justice: The Politics of Learning after Brown v. Board of Education

by Catherine Prendergast, Gloria Ladson-Billings (Foreword)

In anticipation of the fiftieth anniversary of the landmark Brown v . Board of Education decision, Catherine Prendergast draws on a combination of insights from legal studies and literacy studies to interrogate contemporary multicultural literacy initiatives, thus providing a sound historical basis that informs current debates over affirmative action, school vouchers, reparations, and high-stakes standardized testing. As a result of Brown and subsequent crucial civil rights court cases, literacy and racial justice are firmly enmeshed in the American imagination—so much so that it is difficult to discuss one without referencing the other. Breaking with the accepted wisdom that the Brown decision was an unambiguous victory for the betterment of race relations, Literacy and Racial The Politics of Learning after Brown v. Board of Education finds that the ruling reinforced traditional conceptions of literacy as primarily white property to be controlled and disseminated by an empowered majority. Prendergast examines civil rights era Supreme Court rulings and immigration cases spanning a century of racial injustice to challenge the myth of assimilation through literacy. Advancing from Ways with Words, Shirley Brice Heath’s landmark study of desegregated communities, Prendergast argues that it is a shared understanding of literacy as white property which continues to impact problematic classroom dynamics and education practices. To offer a positive model for reimagining literacy instruction that is truly in the service of racial justice, Prendergast presents a naturalistic study of an alternative public secondary school. Outlining new directions and priorities for inclusive literacy scholarship in America, Literacy and Racial Justice concludes that a literate citizen is one who can engage rather than overlook longstanding legacies of racial strife.

Genres: Grad School, Education, Race, Academic

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2003

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting timing that I should be reading this book as the recent ruling declaring that students do not have a Constitutional right to literacy came down. This seems to be quite in keeping with Prendergrast's argument that we have legally constructed literacy as white property. Excellent, thorough, engaging work.

[Katie Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book that expanded my understanding of how racist legislation in education has created an implied ownership by white people over literacy and culture. You think you have a strong grasp on how deep these issues lie, yet there is another layer, and another . . .

[Missflinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read melds historical, social, political, and judicial aspects to portray how racism is a integrated part of our institutions, from the Supreme Court to teachers' attitudes in the classroom. My kind of thing...

[melissa]

I've only read two chapters, and I'm already in love.

[Katie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Crystal Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars to be exact. a little dense, but great information...