Monday, January 25, 2010

CORA Diversity Roll Call: Paradigm Shifts

This week's assignment is about pivotal moments, ah ha moments or some kind of change in perception you gained because of something you read in a book about a person or culture different from you.

Some readers can't understand why others of us are so passionate about multicultural literature. For me, part of my love for these books is because I feel enriched. I feel informed in a way that makes me a better person.

For this assignment, I want us to shift from the importance of representation and focus on how difference or a different perspective changed us in a meaningful way. Have you ever read a book and the character's perspective opened you to ideas, beliefs or realities that you had never considered? Tell us a about a work or an author whose body of work changed how you looked at the world, others or yourself. Have you ever read a book and had a paradigm shift because of it?



I'll hope you give this considerable thought. Take your time. This will be up at least two weeks.

Happy Reading.

14 comments:

Vasilly said...

Awww. I'm sending good vibes you're way. Hope everything turns out well.

Mardel said...

Sorry about your computer. I wouldn't know the first thing to do if mine crashed.

I posted a link in your Mr Linky to my post. I don't think it came out very positive, and there's three pivotal moments. In fact the ending is a little negative. Sorry about that, but I just sat and wrote. Funny what comes out.

Heather Zundel said...

I will definitely be thinking on this one. Some of the most enriching books I've read have come from these types of stories, because they help me see the world in completely different, experience it in a way I had never thought to before. I'll check back for Mr. Linky. (and good luck with your computer). :)

Color Online said...

She's up but running slow. Thanks for the good vibes.

Jessie Carty said...

hard to pinpoint but i decided to go with whatever came first to my mind. the books i think back to are many of the newberry books like "island of the blue dolphins" and "julie of the wolves" i was struck by the way those people lived such a different life from the one i lived. i actually envied them. i found myself studying other cultures early on as a child. even tried to teach myself spanish :)

Unknown said...

I can't say that any one piece of fiction has ever changed my perspective.

But Deepa D's I Didn't Dream of Dragons, which played a huge part in the genesis of RaceFail, did.

pussreboots said...

I've come up with six books. My answer is here.

Color Online said...

Thanks all,

Pussboots, oh, I've enjoyed your previous Roll Call responses. On my way.

Color Online said...

Posts, oh, posts where are?

Community, please check out the links and drop one of your own.

Thanks,

susan said...

I've just added my link. Check Mr. Linky.

Ali said...

Wonderful question that required a lot of thought. I added my link.

Unknown said...

Just added my link!

Heather Zundel said...

I'm adding my post early next week. Don't close it until then! :)

Heather Zundel said...

I just uploaded mine. I hope that it is what you were looking for.