“They Gotta Hear Your Story”: Testifying and Bearing Witness in Urban Literature and Teacher Education

• In Event: Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Preservice Teachers and Teachers of Color

Abstract

A two year qualitative study about adolescent, African American female readers of urban literature provides the data for this paper. It is grounded in critical race theory, Black feminist theory, African American female literacy practices, and trauma studies. Critical race theory and Black feminist theory explain that inequality based on race, gender and class is persistent in our laws, institutions, and ideology. I offer that some urban literature texts read by the participants are structured as “trauma narratives;” featuring telling the story (testifyin) and receiving the story (bearing witness). Using trauma narratives in classrooms and teacher education programs presents possibilities for improving literacy success for students of color and closing the gap between White teachers and their diverse students.

Author

• Erica H. Newhouse, Mercy College