Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors The term “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” refers to literature that helps us to knock down barriers that have been put up due to diversity. Each aspect of the term is symbolic of the ways that we can overcome diversity. The mirrors refer to literature that helps us to reflect on our own lives. We are able to analyze the presented literature and compare it to our individual experiences. The windows refer to the ability to see into someone else’s life. We can witness what other people experience. The sliding glass doors refer to the ability to step into someone else’s life. We are able to experience what another person is experiencing. In being aware of Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors in literature, we are able to understand the lives of others. I think we will find that everyone has something in common with someone else. While we have our differences, we can all see at least a small portion of ourselves in someone else. This type of literature is needed in society because we are all very quick to judge other people (sometimes falsely). Over time, this will hopefully eliminate some tension. Recent Movements Towards Diversification in Literature The We Need Diverse Books movement is important because it urges people to look at the literature around them. They might notice the underrepresentation of some groups of people. When I was growing up, it was hard to find movies, plays, and television shows for kids with people of color playing big roles. People of color were even harder to find in fantasy picture books. It is good to see that the next generation will be able to see themselves represented beginning at a young age. The #OwnVoices movement was focused on letting minorities tell their own story. While it is forward-looking just to have diversity in literature, it is important that experiences come directly from the minority that the story is about. I am impacted by this movement because there is a growing amount of diversity in literature today, however, the experiences can be discredited due to a lack of knowledge. If the writer has not lived a life of a minority, their understanding as someone looking in will not be the same as that minority’s understanding. The Reading Woke Movement encouraged students to look into other people’s lives. This was an effective way to allow kids to be exposed to diversity from a young age. Resources were provided for the students to eliminate the issue of inaccessibility to books. This movement is important in my life because it tears down the preconceived notions we gain in childhood and carry with us throughout adulthood. Kids will learn that diversity is not a bad thing. Therefore, less conflict arises later on because there were no prejudices learned as a child. Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors in Picture Books
Works Cited
Alexie, Sherman, and Yuyi Morales. Thunder Boy Jr. Little, Brown, 2016. Blog, Guest. “30 Days of Social Justice: Why the #OwnVoices Movement Is Crucial for Young Readers.” YALSA Blog, Young Adult Library Services Association, 19 Dec. 2016, http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2016/12/19/30-days-of-social-justice-why-the-ownvoices-movement-is-crucial-for-young readers/. Copeland, Misty, and Christopher Myers. Firebird. Putnam, 2014. Krull, Kathleen, and David Diaz. Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the Worlds Fastest Woman. Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1996. Mignardi, Donna, and Jennifer Sturge. “Reading Woke: Creating a Diverse Books Program for Students.” Programming Librarian, American Library Association, 31 Oct. 2019, http://programminglibrarian.org/blog/reading-woke-creating-diverse-books-program-students. Reading Rockets. “Mirrors, windows and sliding doors.” YouTube, 30 Jan. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc “Why We Need Diverse Books.” Anti-Defamation League, Anti-Defamation League, 2019, https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and strategies/table-talk/why-we-need-diverse-books.
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Terri L.I am a junior at Durham School of the Arts and I thoroughly enjoy writing. This blog entails the knowledge I have gained in being a Library Media Center Assistant. Archives
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The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Durham School of the Arts or Durham Public Schools.
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