Reading racism-themed YAL through the lens of intersectionality: Complicating social justice thinking

Abstract

I discuss White American students’ experiences of reading racism-themed young adult literature (YAL), addressing the issue of police brutality, and using the concept of intersectionality to promote social justice awareness. Based on analysis of their written reflections and classroom discussions, I argue reading racism-themed YAL with an intersectionality lens helped White American students complicate their understanding of the struggles and the resistance of youths of color at the present time. I share my instructional strategy for helping White students identify, analyze, and critique the work of power upon American youths.