A Plea for More: Modernizing the English Classroom

Mandilyn McMillan Student Contributor, Louisiana Tech University

Isabelle Byrnes-Bartell Student Contributor, Louisiana Tech University

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Louisiana Tech chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I have learned a lot about Shakespeare, Faulkner, and many more iconic authors throughout my years in college. All the information is worthwhile and has impacted me in one way or another, but it seems that the same issues are being taught over and over: sexism, racism, and government in the past. Schools even use the same books every year for these lessons and even though I respect the classics and fully support being taught about these issues, I wonder why we can’t learn about them through modern texts and stories? Sometimes it seems as if we truly believe these big issues are behind us and that we are on the downhill stretch of battling oppression; yet, as society evolves, more issues are addressed, and the politics and literature change. Meanwhile, the education system seems to be at a stand-still.

Literature is and has been used to call out our faults on an individual and group scale and then presents us with an opportunity to change something or remain stagnant. If we as readers are unable to recognize those elements, then the book has not served its purpose. I came across an article by Andrew Simmons, a teacher from California who rationalizes the need for more modern works in the classroom. Simmons says that “Yet while [teaching classic literature] may be rigorous intellectually, it is arguably incomplete unless students tangle with the book’s emotional core.” With many cultural and language barriers separating the modern reader from a story’s intent, there is something lost to the reader and we are not able to learn anything or enjoy it as much as possible. (read more about literature’s intent here)

black lives matter protests — Photo by Clay Banks from Unsplash

Why do I have to learn about racism primarily until the end of the 20th century like it magically disappeared during Y2K? America is in the midst of a civil rights movement (read more about it here), but I have only read one 21st-century work about racism. There are so many books discussing racism and minorities in America that I have read on my own time and that have been published; so many books that discuss our specific problems and needs but we place importance on the past.

How come the “me too” movement began in 2006 as a platform for assault survivors to finally seek justice (read more about it here), but I am encouraged to read more about the tolerated sexism from previous generations. Were sexism and sexual harassment only bad during that time since it was so outlandish yet accepted? There have been schools that ban books with such sensitive material such as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (read more about the censorship here).

Toni Reed Udggq3Ml — Toni Reed / Unsplash

The LGBTQ community is fighting harder than ever for their rights and lives (read more about it here), yet the only LGBTQ friendly book I have read in school is about lesbian vampires–so take that as you will. As we strive for a more accepting society, we need to encourage more education about this community and spark discussion about the injustices and tragedies that plague it. The first gay rights organization was established in 1924 (read more about LGBTQ milestones here)–emphasizing it wasn’t even 100 years ago– yet there is little effort to include Queer Literature to lesson plans even though NOW is the only time they have to choose from!

My intent is not to disregard classic literature; instead, I want to argue the case for Contemporary literature and how impactful it can be in a classroom. The classics teach us valuable lessons about how the world worked in the past. The language has changed, issues have evolved, and the audiences have more things vying for their attention decades after Faulkner, Dickens, and Hemingway were the hot topic of conversation. We need to evolve with time and use current literature to explore and relate to different issues that plague our community today.