CCBC-Net Archives
RE: Tight Times and Poverty
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Elliott batTzedek <ebattzedek_at_americanreading.com>
Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 06:05:54 -0500
I worry about the message that being poor is something that needs to be "risen above." How can any work with that as a premise not inherently convey that is bad to have less and good good good to have more? I know that's the arc of US history and belief system, but this particular belief system is robbing the rest of the planet and our combined future. What about work that shows people who don't have much, who struggle, but who also have tight family and community bonds that sustain and fulfill them? Can we conceive of a children's literature that calls into question the endless accumulation, the 1 huge house for every small family, 2 or even 2+ cars, etc etc etc?
Although I have many issues with the way Native peoples are treated in the Little House on the Prairie books, and think this must be discussed every time the books are taught, they do have that inherent sense of value in living simply, meeting one's own needs without buying more and more - in fact, the family does that buy more and more is the stigmatized Other.
In short, what the books where it is wealth, and not poverty that is seen as the problem to be overcome?
Elliott batTzedek American Reading Company
Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 06:05:54 -0500
I worry about the message that being poor is something that needs to be "risen above." How can any work with that as a premise not inherently convey that is bad to have less and good good good to have more? I know that's the arc of US history and belief system, but this particular belief system is robbing the rest of the planet and our combined future. What about work that shows people who don't have much, who struggle, but who also have tight family and community bonds that sustain and fulfill them? Can we conceive of a children's literature that calls into question the endless accumulation, the 1 huge house for every small family, 2 or even 2+ cars, etc etc etc?
Although I have many issues with the way Native peoples are treated in the Little House on the Prairie books, and think this must be discussed every time the books are taught, they do have that inherent sense of value in living simply, meeting one's own needs without buying more and more - in fact, the family does that buy more and more is the stigmatized Other.
In short, what the books where it is wealth, and not poverty that is seen as the problem to be overcome?
Elliott batTzedek American Reading Company
---Received on Fri 13 May 2011 06:05:54 AM CDT
