As a senior student with a somewhat literary background, I would say that I know my way inside and out through an English class. This year, looking back on my educational past as well as more in depth in my present English class, I've noticed that there is a shocking disparity.
Curriculum is often specified, especially from the sixth grade level onward, on American or English literature. Both spheres contain a large body of classics that are certainly worthwhile. Honestly though, besides a few poems and short stories in my middle school years (held at a private school), I have had very limited exposure to work written by Hispanic, Middle Eastern, or African American authors. This year we have read one play written by August Wilson, highly noted black playwright, but I have also seen us pass by works by Latino writers, whose names I haven't even heard of because I simply have not had the chance.
It is understandable that perhaps our education system simply does not have the time or resources to cover vast an array of authors, but I also think that this subsequent lack of exposure to writers hurts the growth of our knowledge and empathy as readers and human beings. When we read something from another's experiences, especially those who come from a different creed or culture, it expands our worldview beyond our own. We become more open minded, and conversely see that all situations have multifaceted views as well as connections that can be drawn to nearly everything. That includes ourselves.
There are thousands of works yet to be introduced to the primary and secondary levels in our education system. While I personally am highly interested in works by Latin American or Spanish authors, there are items to read from other religions, cultures, and races. Perhaps my idealism in hoping that a variety of things to read would spark an empathetic human nature in my fellow classmates is naive, but I don't think it's anywhere near outdated and certainly it is still relevant, now more than ever.
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