Sankofa in literacy?

Traditionally, literacy practices in schools are those established by “the culture of power”, which views literacy as the ability to read and write English. In contrast, “the New Literacy Studies” denies this general view and considers other factors that contribute to various forms of literacy within a culture. In the book the book What They Don’t Learn in School, Mahiri, offers the reader with a definition of literacy as a “part of the process of becoming more self-critical about the historically constructed nature of one’s experience” (249). In order to become more critical about ones history, critical literacy suggests “using history as a form of liberating memory history means resuffering that constitute one’s past”(250). In other words, like the Egyptian symbol Sankofa which holds truth in that one must study the past in order to live the future. As educators it is important for us to have students to engage in a pedagogy that has students question the world around them in a critical way, gain insight and having respect for their culture, and focus on academic achievement. In urban communities were reading and writing skills are often lacking, one can provide opportunities for students through being accepting of students from a particular culture and respect them as a person. We must keep in mind that “to be literate it is to be present and active in the struggle for reclaiming one’s voice, history, and future” which is often lacking in these communities (251). Students whose culture and home language are valued and respected in school literacy instruction in schools will be more inclined to obtain a high level of literacy. Therefore, when considering “one size does not fit all,” teachers need to differentiate instruction and provide students with opportunities to immerse in written language. When students are given support by teachers and are exposed to various texts in a meaningful way, is a way children develop an awareness of language as it plays in many contexts.

At present, we live in an era where youths are engaged in out of school literacies than those found in schools. Such out-of-school literacies might be a key to having students be success in learning. As everyone does, people in a particular culture adopt social languages. To have students learning be meaningful to them, it is important that we connect to them by presenting materials in ways that are not only part of their daily lives but engaging. Often times, we view judge students ability to learn when we encounter language and culture differences. We also considered them illiterate because their ways are not the norm. As educators our role is to create an environment that fosters children development in thought and language through creative expression. When looking at our generation and the impact music and media plays in the lives of students, we should find ways to use these as tools to decrease the literacy gap between school culture and popular culture. One must respect youth writing and their literacies practices because their text “reveal insightful personal perspectives that counter pose ways in which these youth are often portrayed in the media, in politics, and in public schooling” (Mahiri, 2008, p.9). For many, slam poetry and hip hop are often criticized and often not seen as a form of art. Through slam poetry, students are able to engage their audience members using various modalities that written poetry lacks.

Surprisingly we can learn about the injustices faced by urban youth through their literacies. Artists create a piece of art work with some intentions and meaning. Old school Hip-hop songs were important during a time of chaos and confusion. Originating in the South Bronx, hip-hop was important because it provided a haven, a voice, entertainment and jobs (just as spoken word). A hip hop song I can apply as a scaffolding activity in history and in writing is “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Here the artists critiques their government which was constructed to give “liberty and justice for all” but why is it that people under such conditions have no manual to help them play this game? The only manual are the messages in songs such as these that speak about “living in this seesaw”. The rapper speaks out about living in this complex maze that is full of ruthless competition and can only be achieved if they had money. In order to survive this struggle for your life you have to play the cards right which serves as the underlying message to the community. Nowadays, non conscious hip hop songs can also teach our youth to critically analyze what’s being “fed to them” and how they feed into the negative images.