What is Multicultural Literature?

Although I am still in the early stages of my experience with multi-cultural literature, I have noticed topics of debate seem to have weaved their way through this area of study. The first topic: how exactly do we define multicultural literature?

In his piece Multiple Definitions of Multicultural Literature: Is the Debate Really Just “Ivory Tower” Bickering?, Mingshui Cai presents the range of existing definitions on a sliding scale. He explains that at one end of the spectrum, multicultural literature is defined as “books by and about people of color”. On the other end of that spectrum, people believe that “all literature is multicultural literature”. Is it too confining to believe that diverse literature should only be defined by the issues surrounding race and ethnicity? After all, there are many other aspects of diversity (e.g.: gender, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality, language, etcetera). It may also be impractical, however, to leave the definition completely open ended. If this were to be the case I’d have to agree with Rudine Sims Bishop’s claim that “if the set of ‘multicultural children’s literature’ is that same as the set of ‘children’s literature’ then the risk is that we will simply maintain the status quo”.

I believe that the function of this type of literature is far more important the definition. It is unlikely that we will come to see one clear cut definition of multi-cultural literature, however it is important to discuss what this type of literature should do for the reader. It is my hope that “good” multi-cultural children’s literature will serve two distinct purposes. First, it should allow a traditionally disenfranchised group of people a voice. They deserve to have their stories heard. Secondly, it should allow the reader possible ways to, as Patrick Shannon puts it, “recognize themselves (or part of themselves) in stories that seem on the surface so far apart from their daily lives”. Hopefully discussing our similarities as well as our differences will allow readers to connect with the diverse cultures represented in this literature on an entirely new level.