Queer Afro-Futuristic Critical Literacies in Early Childhood Spaces

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Race, Culture, and Gender in Early Childhood Spaces (Table 2)

Abstract

Early childhood education often fails to acknowledge and represent the unique identity markers of queerness, gender fluidity, and same-gender attraction. This is due to the dominant beliefs and norms of society. To counteract this, a queered Afrofuturistic perspective is proposed to promote critical media literacy in early childhood spaces. Analyzing the queer family narrative in My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal, this study argues for the importance of engaging young learners in queer Afrofuturistic critical literacy practices to envision a future free from oppression. By providing access to these innovative tools, children can examine their identities beyond societal norms and expectations.

Author

• Danelle Adeniji, Dallas Independent School District