Literature versus racism: use of Migrant Stories in textbooks

Abstract

It was the acts of racism that prompted the debate on immigration in Italy. At the same time, the phenomenon was recognised thanks to the literary production of authors, whose efforts gave rise to migrant literature in Italy. Over the years, this focus on immigrants saw a gradual maturation which, while stimulating the evolution of the intercultural perspective in the Italian context, also resulted in an increasingly recurring motif in textbooks: an opportunity for in-depth study and reflection in the classroom on the theme of racism and anti-racism, rights and duties, diversity and affinity, opportunities and equality. Starting from these assumptions, as well as from their own study and research experience, the authors aim to explore how much the use of migrant literature can contribute to promoting intercultural education and thus the construction of a broader critical-reflective thinking, capable of leading to the overcoming of racism in favour of a culture of anti-racism.

Keywords

• migrant literature
• culture of anti-racism
• textbooks
• intercultural perspective
• critical pedagogy