Pros And Cons Of Cultural Authenticity

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The Cultural Authenticity Debate Who is paying attention to children’s literature and the potential negative messages that it could send to multi-cultural children? The debate about cultural authenticity continues, does it matter and if it does, can we solve this diemma so that everyone is satisfied? There does not seem to be a clear-cut method and some say that it would be a crime against art if we did. Should we let educators decide what is appropriate? Should the parents of these children have some input? What about the artistic integrity of the authors and illustrators? These questions and many more have been asked repeatedly, and unfortunately there is no definitive answer. There are numerous reasons cultural authenticity is important and they should not be ignored. Ensuring cultural authenticity is a complicated matter, and there are many differing opinions. What should be in the forefront of consideration is that some children are looking to these books as a source of identity. Sometimes these characters are portrayed in ways that could be misleading to the entire audience. Often, Asian American characters are illustrated with exaggerated physical differences than the other characters in books. This persistent, inaccurate depiction could lead to feelings of isolation or self-hatred. If we look at past representations of Asian Americans we would see that there are gross misinterpretations of their culture, language, personalities, physical appearances, and traditions. When inaccuracies occur there is an inclination to question the motives. Certain guidelines have been put in place to guard against inaccuracies; nevertheless, there are areas in children’s literature that need improvement and constant scrutiny. Mingshui Cai points out in the book that the curriculum reform movement is not about including more content about ethnic groups and showing appreciation of cultural differences, but “to transform society and ensure greater voice, power, equity, and social justice for marginalized cultures.” Keeping this in mind, there are questions in regards to the purpose of multiculturalism and literature in educational settings. Should literature be used as a pedagogical tool or do we enjoy it for the richness of the art form? Another important perspective is if we try to define and enforce cultural authenticity, does that place unwanted guidelines for artists and readers alike? If the author or illustrator creates without the awareness of authenticity does that mean they are arrogant? There are people who feel that inside the culture/outside the culture perspectives should be considered and that an outsider should bear some responsibility for cultural authenticity. Insiders argue that it is difficult for an outsider to accurately depict all the nuances of a culture …show more content…
It is unfortunate that what starts out as good intentions ends up with unintended consequences. Authors and illustrators are part of the problem by perpetuating unrealistic scenarios in books. The movement to protect and promote cultural authenticity is vital and often overlooked for lack of understanding and perspective. Responsiveness once enlightened is key. These issues are complicated, however, I believe thought, consideration, and exposure could help bridge the gap between art form, educational integrity, and cultural authenticity.

Works Cited
Short, Kathy G., and Dana L. Fox. “The Complexity of Cultural Authenticity in Children’s Literature: Why the Debates Really Matter.” Stories Matter: The Complexity of Cultural Authenticity in Children’s Literature. Ed. Dana L. Fox and Kathy G. Short. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English, 2003. 7.

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