Critical Literacy

Void of context, quite literally, literacy means just four words: READING, WRITING, LISTENING, SPEAKING.  But there is much to unpack here.

So if I only had one word, I would say literacy means COMMUNICATION.  This definition links all of those elements (reading, writing, speaking, listening), suggesting a relationship that leads quite nicely into the discussion of the added qualifier: Critical Literacy.

To me, being critical suggests thoughtful action- actively engaging with the vast variety of texts in society. I use “texts” to include books, articles, advertisements, speeches, poetry, pictures, movies, art, even situations.

I would say people characterize writing and speaking as the more active roles, having voice and authorship to speak your piece. Writing and speaking can be perceived as acting upon the reader or listener.  Their job as audience may be perceived as merely the receiver of information.  Reading is often portrayed and practiced more passively.  But “reading into” a text suggests much more engagement. 

Critical Literacy is about “reading into” a text to recognize who is granted authority and agency in their authorship.  It’s about equity and access- challenging and holding people accountable to their representations of people, places, history, etc.    It’s about exposing bias, interrogating motives, and holding people accountable.

But firstly, and maybe most importantly, we have to hold ourselves accountable too, not just as speakers and writers, but as listeners and readers too.  Reading Toni Morrison novels has changed the way I read forever.  Toni Morrison forced me to recognize my own stakes in every text, helping me to identify what biases I might bring to the table and recognize how that might change my own interpretations of what I “read into…”