Literature in Colour – new report on (lack of) diversity in texts studied

Posted by Annabel Mary Watson

18 November 2021

https://www.penguin.co.uk/campaigns/lit-in-colour.html

This recent study by Penguin and The Runnymede Trust draws together a range of research into the literature studied at GCSE. Some highlighted findings:

Fewer than 1% of candidates for GCSE English Literature in 2019 answered a question on a novel by an author of colour.
At most, 7% of students study a full length novel or play written by a woman at GCSE
Teachers lack confidence in ‘how to talk about race’ with how to talk about race.

The report, available via the Penguin website linked above, discusses barriers and solutions, and offers recommendations:

For all teachers:

Conduct an audit of what texts are in your curriculum and your classrooms as a starting point for working forward.
Ensure a variety of narratives is represented: not just trauma, not just Black exceptionalism, not just American and not just historical.
Do not limit Black, Asian or minority ethnic voices to poetry and extracts.
Pre 1900 texts are deeply entwined with issues of race and empire, and teaching these aspects provides a better knowledge of the text.
Poetry is an excellent way to bring in Black, Asian or minority ethnic authors, but one poem is not a diverse curriculum.
Come to terms with the challenges of being a White ally. Practice talking about race openly and rehearsing what to say if a child uses a racist epithet. Model not having all the answers but being open to talking about race and racism.
Discuss the importance of exploring race and diverse texts with parents of White children and how your school approaches this.
Create reading groups for new diverse novels to develop knowledge and schemes of work in supportive groups.

For secondary teachers:

Table a discussion at a department meeting of the findings of this report and
discuss the implications for your department.
Consider changing examination set texts.
A level Non-Examined Assessment texts are a good place to introduce novels by
Black, Asian or minority ethnic authors.
Race and racism are equally a part of texts written by White authors: consider the
White gaze of literature and what is omitted as well as what is present.