Critical literacies: Ever‐evolving

My heartfelt thanks to the editors for inviting me participate in this special issue. I am humbled by invitation and doubly pleased share my thoughts. was given freedom respond via interview or written text; latter suits best. have a tone hoping convey way an may occurred as consider framing of call few queries posed conversation. US-based scholar, thus while extending conversation globally, response is on evolving notions critical theorising United States. body research includes interrogating traditional accounts history literacy, most notably portrayed done so, part, questioning colonialism, Eurocentrism, Westernised definitions views literacy that fail acknowledge global construct. From perspective, understand perpetuation siloed Eurocentric geopolitical not haphazard; they are intentionally crafted valorize quest dominance power. argue democratise histories we must include among non-European non-English-dominant people, centuries existed some groups people before Europeans were aware their existence. A retelling world literacies exceeds available space response, but example from African Diaspora help clarify point. every historian multitude, disposed, subaltern, enslaved forced grapple with power authority archive limits it sets what can be known, whose perspective matters who endowed gravity historical actor. (Hartman, 2019, p. xiii) Histories Black scholars, achievement, brilliance, culture, experiences, language, literacy. To clear, millions captured, transported, throughout Americas, leading Diouf (1998, 2011) estimate around 10% transported Americas literate. The impact statement hard grasp. idea literate supports counternarrative emanating Greece Italy. Acknowledging tens thousands acquired will contested face undeniable facts. Moreover, there likely outcry whitewash centuries-old mischaracterization descent biologically, genetically, intellectually incapable learning read. pathologising has been pronounced Europe although global. autobiography Omar Ibn Said only known person (Alryyes Said, 2011). His hundreds autobiographies formerly Equally important example, Brazil, Canada, England, Haiti, others (see also Khan, 2020). Collectively, these texts representative first-hand life under enslavement acknowledged, celebrated, reclaimed within inclusive In analysis Said's autobiography, uncovered revelatory information about role beyond West, beholden American exceptionalism, White supremacy. his boldly claims humanity epistemological ideological positions rooted America—they Islamic—and imperative survival. new approach understanding transcendent (Willis, forthcoming), democratises reconceptualises definition literacy: respecting each fellow human, providing access human right, construct, producing authenticated knowledge. Authenticated knowledge does begin coloniser nor coloniser's ways knowing. begins consciousness examines values world's cultural, ethnic, gendered, linguistic, racial, religious explained those closest it. We all learn broad groups. This should inform researchers work varying populations. ask ourselves, Brayboy et al., 2012, suggests: ‘What kinds connections you envision epistemologies (ways knowing), ontologies being), axiologies (value systems), process?’ (p. 427). decentre Whiteness discard colonialist stance toward non-Eurocentric non-English dominant people. It take value centre Africana, Arab, Muslim, Asian, Latinx, Native American, Indigenous epistemologies. And move gaze produce socially just Is possible? realistic modern society? absolutely possible, described across multiple chapters outstanding compendium Pandya al.'s (2022) Handbook literacies. transnational group editors, founders Transnational Critical Literacy Network present compilation (50 chapters) social justice scholarship. They enhance our theorising, ‘deliberate attempt broaden diversify scholars might find intellectual homes revitalized umbrella’ x). Building expanding history, traditions, theories along acknowledging current theoretical approaches; offer ‘literate practices individuals need order survive thrive world, foregrounding concept never neutral; afford ability powerful address injustices lived worlds’ 3). Importantly, highlight, ‘we draw epistemologies, including European, Black, thinkers Global South North’ so doing, enlarge scope reflexively note shifting meaning traditionally dominated North, ‘especially white, Anglophone discourses’ (Mora 2022, 466). framework ‘sometimes obscures attentions non-Anglophone regions when different languages use talk literacy’ authors represent geo-political spaces engage re-imagine approaches, assessments, curriculum, instruction, methods, praxis, cultures, ethnicities, genders, languages, races. EQ: Historically, come long line tradition seen various waves evolution informing believe today. Tell us, major shifts experienced since inception your time field led choose vehicle changing classrooms schools? AIW: snippets own journey, followed brief comments Luke's (2018) scholarship commentary informed Crenshaw's (1991, 2021) race theory As woman academy, journey always both personal political. prone oppression shaping outcomes people's lives growing up States during 1970s. read entering professoriate quickly learned undervalued resource academics. onset academy Theory (CT), widely its foundations, locating seemed familiar distinct. Although CT focused more exclusively economic class relation Europe, unfamiliar such conversations centred class, power, race. broader emerged, eager examine affordances expanded reading theorists engaging research, late Brazilian Paulo Freire. found early missing Later, became devotee, Freirediana, everything him contemporaries. ideas, however, began shift after attended Pedagogy Theatre conference Omaha, NE, 1990s. Freire attendance responded questions audience. He appeared noticeably uncomfortable queried why issues race/racism, gender seldom work. Through translators, he apologised oversight women did discussion At time, knew little complicated vexing racism Brazil. makes possible adequate accurate … put it, enter into rewriting formation interests, identities, legitimate aspirations fully fully’. xviii) expressed uneasiness roots reflected Europeans, Whiteness, lack inclusion globally nationally racialized oppressed After bell Hooks's (1994) Teaching Transgress, which she shares her description himself White, surprised left wondering, had misread concerns? Who identifying, Brazil? Next, edited text, Mentoring Mentor: Dialogue Freire, Gloria Ladson Billings (1997) discusses feature pedagogy. (2002), drew search deeper, re-reading Education Consciousness (1973), wherein acknowledges slavery Brazil (again, identifying race), Oppressed (1970), reference conveyed term, peasants. considered peasants mid-1900s? Had assumed would poor Brown, people? Clearly, specifically identify (photos period progeny illuminate racial differences). focus poor, margins society, yet without gender, identifiers. even enrolled Portuguese language classes better grasp language; something lost translation? wondered whether, romanticised failed see shortcomings race/racism Fulbright 2014, explored Freire's life, scholarship, legacy. writings, courses, seminars, monthly Freirediana meetings, statewide conference. interviewed devotees carrying Rio Grande do Sul. Across regarded reverent tones, hailed hero, honoured remembered immense gratitude, worshipped some. During one interviews, Imaculada moved trance-like space, shook, eyes filled tears gently rolled down face, recalled influence 2017, 47). S. She holds doctorate served Coordinator Popular RS taught at university level using pedagogical models. Her activism far teaching graduate courses writing academic papers, semester continues negotiate state government free adult poorest neighbourhoods community. word preceded certain form transforming means conscious practical action. For me, dynamic movement central 18) agreed, remained bothered initial weak attribution Fanon, 2008 addresses oppression, addressing integral While how attention embedded Brazil's contexts, racism, historically contemporaneously. ever-evolving conscientização (Willis 2008) concerning, fundamental minimise leave unaccounted for. Fanon correct importance bedrock approaches differed; wonder about—what be—missing phenomenon. understandings live functions economically, intellectually, morally, politically, confined Western men, status, standing. Surely, Frankfurt School voiced worlds Americanism/Eurocentrism/Whiteness, unacknowledged reflective thought. Where criticality, pedagogy? where wrote counter-narratives brought other shores? returned political circumstances lives, technically categorised recognised part thought; realised challenged status quo failure democracy inequality. rich beginning 1800s David Walker, Frederick Douglass, W.E. B. DuBois, Anna Julia (Haywood) Cooper; continuing 1900s James Baldwin, Frantz hooks, C. L. R. James, Cornel West; and, 2000s Eddie Glaude, Fred Moten, Robyn Kelly, others, remains untapped theorists. rested ‘interrogating production itself’ (Kelley quoted Taylor, 2023, para. 23). helped sharpen ethnicity, identity, race, especially connected familiarity, knowingness, thinking community ‘radical tirelessly imagined otherwise’ xv). Their provides communal born out shared experiences conversations. want end, cared for, loved, nurtured insight wisdom. Cooper, Mother Feminism, immensely helpful justice. Cooper's (1892 book Voice Woman speeches writings exhibits economic, discernment necessary survival skills developed living Lemert & Bhan, 1998). Cooper argues look ‘behind veil’ systems hierarchies established men women, men. observations descriptive seemingly invisible others. anti-Black classism, bias Collins's (1990) notion interlocking structures (1991) intersectionality (identifying oppressions women). facing ignored judicial system well society speak me. Crenshaw (2021) outspoken critic republic values, ‘whiteness—not simplistic categorization, deeply structured relationship coercion entitlement—remains vibrant dimension America’ (para. 5). adopt text transform dis/misinformation ideologies past, present, future. More recently, continue wrestle increasing racialization outcome battling backlash same ban Race Theory, books, science many view post-truth era. How educators engage—nationally internationally—with function collaboratively diversity difference change? capacity codes messages communications media. If any remaining doubt contingent daily play relations capital, making truth ideology—and place, self other—such doubts eclipsed. (pp. vii–viii) Concepts underpin Lives Matter, CRT, Woke, instance, emerged suffering economically express deep Matter coined 2013, Garza, Cullors, Tometi n.d.) following death Trayvon Martin acquittal George Zimmerman. Baptise submits co-option old racist tactic goal ‘take radical message muddle enough until opposite’ 2). tracks appropriated ‘reminding place society’ (para 8). Derrick Bell (1980, 1995), Bunyasi Smith (2019) term (originally used 1923) being ever-vigilant unjust murders reacted murder Floyd contest devaluing demand equality, swift backlash. (All Blue Matter); (as anti-CRT); Woke liberal) Sadly, vulgarised versions become flashpoints weaponized euphemisms local school board meetings campaign ads ‘They're flipped head, turned inside out, repurposed sneer meant rally, generally made seem comical ridiculous—a rhetorical minstrel act’ (Baptise, 2021, para Politicised actions, events, statements reflect hegemonic discourses permeate educational discussions education crises reform re-messaged solutions obfuscating inequity. witnessed media politicians, ignorantly co-opted, misappropriated, profited marketed foment hate division. simply prohibit teachers compelling students ‘is inherently superior another’, ‘inherently racist, sexist, oppressive’, individual ‘bears responsibility actions committed past race’. 7, emphasis added) Opponents countered argument ‘an obscure issue’ (Crenshaw, Jackson, point ‘the chronic confront monsters destiny; it's choice accept myth much countervailing evidence’ 12). Rufo's appear ecumenical belies aggressive push instantiate supremacy foundation US education, nation building. Most legal P-12 rarely undergraduate (the applied Ladson-Billings Tate, 1995, lens systemic field). zest anti-CRT laws support fear accurately revealing history. ‘woke’ sufficiently fleshed (2019). There deliberate misappropriation woke, gain. Beyond politically inflammatory rhetoric Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, acronym Stop W.O.K.E. legislation Wrongs Our Kids Employees Act), coded anti-Blackness. Among sensational blunders publicly broadcast Bethany Mandel. author, someone loudly decried ‘woke’, journalist asks define term. Mandel, co-authored entire chapter recent book, caught off-guard struggles articulate coherent response. fact, painful incident, voices greater concern than incoherent Indeed, received scathing responses inability Unsurprisingly, uproar waned, privileged write popular online periodical, explaining anxiety (Mandel, 2023). main/right-wing discourse feeds exacerbates considering feelings damsel distress confronted female reporter). Throughout Mandel's publication, provide fails mention profiting misinformation. No knows appears untold damage Brown children cause. And, date, periodical origins public. ever literacies, universal, ongoing dialogue selectively represented portrayed, whom, interests ends, now. (Luke, 2018, 12) embrace, promote, teach, conduct remain silent injustice, exercise commitment eradicating praxis. future forging path ALL together solidarity? Foremost pathways envisage building intersection linguistic brilliant raciolinguistics (Flores Rosa, 2015; Rosa Flores, 2017) Smith's transraciolinguistics metaverse. These frameworks, make clear linkages among, imperialism, linguicide, European imperialism colonialism issue, States, retain recognise Flores (2015) refer ‘co-production’ ‘co-naturalisation’ oppression. Menashy Zakharia expand ignorance, Charles Stuart Mills's (1997, 2007, 2015) ignorance. Specifically, highlight white ignorance ‘White misunderstanding, misrepresentation, evasion, self-deception related race’ (Mills, 1997, pp. 18–19, Zakharia). authors' policy because often impacted modelled North general specifically. ‘within bodies, largely problem, thereby denying system. sanitizing silencing racism—or ignorance—has inhibited structural change policies practices’ 39). construct understood globally; everywhere lingers contemporary manifestations imperialism. submit ‘racial hierarchy international development perpetuated through narratives reframed sanitized ascribing categories derive colonial groupings’ 465). findings interviews document analyses suggest willful, agencies avoid Many countries evade, ignore, racism. conclude: ‘without interrogate core element inequities, advocacy leaders serve reinscribe industry. 478). researchers, communication, April 2023), challenging globally. Pérez Huber al. (2023) avoidance aracialism ‘analysis lacks and/or dismisses consideration racism’ (footnote 2, 14). Ironically, very needed. equally engagement projects technology, pursue enactment, enforcement effect