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.