Studying Multiculturalism Through Literature!

Funded Oct 25, 2017

Thank you for donating to our cause! The students enjoyed the books that you provided immensely. Word has spread around the school and we have dozens of new fans of Junot Diaz and Rupi Kaur, including some staff. Some of the lessons that were covered during the Diaz book include machismo and its impact on Dominican men, the Dominican family, and relationships between partners, homosexuality in Dominican culture and Latinx culture as a whole, and lessons about sexual assault and gender bias. For Rupi Kaur's book we focused most of our lessons on abuse, womanhood, and techniques of poetry including enjambment, imagery, and more figurative language.

In my classroom, because it was a class expected to simulate the experience of college, students were expected to read their books at home and come prepared to discuss important passages. Students were also expected to lead a class discussion once during the year. Junot Diaz was particularly impactful to students in my class who could relate to Dominican culture. This included my Latinx students, but it also included my Guyanese students and my African-American students. Milk & Honey was impactful to all students in the classroom, but particularly it was impactful for the female students in the room. We were able to discuss relationship trauma, familial trauma, and other traumas that impact their daily lives. The boys were able to hear female voices which I think helped open their perspectives more.

We truly appreciate the opportunity that you gave us by donating to this cause!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Jackson