Should multicultural literature be included in the high school curriculum?

Students will see themselves reflected in literature

Question: Should multicultural literature be included in the high school curriculum?
Position1 of 3›: Yes, multicultural literature should be taught in schools
Argument‹5 of 5: Students will see themselves reflected in literature

The literature will empower students, who identify with the culture, identity, and race of the characters within the literature, to read more.

The argument

Literature can be a source that provides students with an affirmation about themselves and their culture. The ability to relate to characters and situations in literature can be a major factor in book selection and overall desire to read. When students don’t find themselves reflected in literature, they are less likely to be engaged in reading. Students are often asked to make connections to what they are reading, so it is important that they find characters and situations that they can relate to in the literature they are reading.

Premises

[P1]Literature that affirms students' own identity and culture lets them relate to characters and situations, which is a major factor in book selection and in the overall desire to read. [P2] When students cannot find themselves reflected in what they read they are less likely to engage, even though they are constantly asked to make personal connections to the text. [C] Multicultural literature should be taught in schools so that students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and stay engaged with reading.

Counter-arguments

Students might feel ashamed or embarrassed about certain aspects of their culture that could be illustrated in the literature. In turn, it will create cultural barriers between them and other students who don’t identify with the culture.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Introducing multicultural literature will make students feel alienated rather than represented.