The Class Canon and Cancel Culture

#MeToo Movement

I can see why Martin Myers wanted to keep the allegations of sexual harassment against Sherman Alexie a secret from her students. A lot of her students looked up to him and saw him as a role model because they felt like they really resonated with the struggles he endured in his early life. However, I don't think it's right of Myers to keep the sexual harassment allegations a secret from her student because a lot of her students had dealt with sexual abuse in their own lives and it's not right for them to praise someone who's been accused. Sexual assault is a serious issues that needs to be address. It's not just something you can hide from your students. I don't think work implicated by #MeToo should be in the classroom. 

Cancel Culture Video 

I honestly believe people get cancelled too much. People will bring up something from a long time ago and use it as a tool to try to cancel someone. I think it's not right to turn on someone because of something they said. A lot of people are capable of changing their views on things and if they apologize for something they wrote then I think they should be forgiven. I think one of the most interesting lines what when she stated, we undermine how easy it is for us to become the people we dislike." I think that's so powerful how true that statement is. I don't think we can separate the writer from the writing, the artist for the art, and the creator from the creation. That is what makes that individuals work stand out. If we don't know anything about their life, then how can we understand their work. 

Windows and Mirrors

Books and stories can act as windows where children can picture themselves in a world outside of their own. Mirrors is when children can see a reflection of themself in the book they are reading whether that's with the character or with the overall theme. We need both because it helps children build connections between books whether that's in their own life or being able to apply it to the real world. 

Some books I plan on including in our classroom canon are:

"How Kind" by Mary Murphy teaches children about spreading kindness amongst others which is something we all need to do. A lot of people can be very negative and hurtful towards others but what they fail to realize is how much their words can affect someone. 

"Whoever You Are" by Mem Fox teaches children about people from all over the world who look different than them. But also remembering that at the end of the day we're all human. 

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst teaches children about empowering woman leaders who have changed history. Like Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, and Amelia Earhart.