In 2010, I completed my dissertation that focused on critical literacy. In my thesis, I posited that literacy goes beyond the traditional definition of reading and writing. My perception of literacy is that it is a tool for revealing the facts within communication, self-emancipation, social justice, equality, empowerment, and the eradication of poverty. In summary, literacy is not merely having functional skills, but the conceptual tools necessary to critique and engage in society discourses objectively.
Currently, we are bombarded by news media outlets and on social media about issues relating to COVID-19. These issues include: where COVID-19 originated from, what are the best treatments and interventions for COVID-19, and how adequate are the supplies of protective gear for health professionals. Also, there is now emerging information on why so many blacks are disproportionately dying from COVID-19, predictions regarding the number of people who will die, various conspiracy theories about individuals or governments who orchestrated a plan to infect the population with COVID-19, and also discourses regarding the new world order and their plan to exploit people via surveillance methods.
These communications have left many individuals confused and unable to evaluate the information presented to them objectively. Not being able to evaluate information critically could be problematic — it could lead to misinformation, which, in turn, could lead to hysteria within our society. Consequently, if there is ever a time to evaluate the information you read or hear, the time is now. Disinformation is ever-present in our daily news cycle. According to one educator, Pablo Freire, we should all be readers of the ‘world’ and the ‘word.’ In other words, you will not be able to understand what is going on unless you take on an evaluative position in relation to the information you are receiving.
Why is critical literacy important?
I would encourage readers and viewers of information to apply critical literacy skills. Critical literacy is more than critical thinking. In critical literacy, you examine the use of language in text and talk. When a reader or listener applies the essential principles, it is possible to challenge the producers of the information by questioning the historical position and social context in which the information is produced.
Furthermore, employing critical literacy will allow for the examination of the political intentions of the information transmitted. In using a critical literacy approach, readers and listeners will understand that most communication has an element of power that the producer is unknowingly or knowingly using during the communication process. In other words, critical literacy assumes that no text is neutral; therefore, it is imperative to have an objective view.
The ultimate goal of critical literacy is to foster and encourage receivers of information to understand and question the ideology, power, and value in the message produced. Applying critical literacy will require us to evaluate information from multiple sources and reduce our level of subjectivity based on political perspective, ideological position, biases, etc. Being aware of the above elements will empower the information receiver to become socially conscious of issues related to injustices and inequality and take purposeful action. I created these seven critical questions that I have found useful in navigating today’s discourses.
The questions mentioned above are a starting point for navigating today’s conversations. In reality, if you are unable to evaluate the information you are exposed to, you will not be able to advocate for yourself and others, and this could be detrimental to you. I would love to hear your thoughts on critical literacy.
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