National Council of Teachers of English

Resolution on the Availability of Literature by Minority Writers

1986 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in San Antonio, Texas

Background

The proposers of this resolution pointed out the commitment of teachers of English to a multicultural approach to literature and language. They expressed concern that works by culturally diverse writers are too readily dropped from publishers’ lists and from anthologies if sales are slow. This practice, the proposers said, limits the range of literature students can encounter in school. Be it therefore

Resolution

Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English strongly urge publishers

to recognize that the English profession represents a distinct market which needs the continuing availability of materials of all cultures in order to expose students to the whole literary and language heritage of our society; and

to join NCTE to find ways of providing these vital materials.

This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.