For some Black students, college is where they begin reading more intentionally and discover new perspectives and authors, often because a class requires it, but what keeps their engagement with reading once it is no longer tied to a grade?
For Tamaruis Toles, the class-wide discussion is what makes the reading more compelling. “The best part of going over the poems is when everyone doesn’t agree,” Toles said. While she isn’t an avid reader, dissecting and analyzing poems in class with her peers, “...that’s the best part about it,” according to Toles.
Exchanging thoughts and opinions about reading with peers is important to Black students. It is especially crucial for Black students attending PWIs to have spaces where they feel heard and seen, and a lot of them find that in classes with other Black students.
If habits and interests are nurtured then reading can become less about completing an assignment and more about interacting with your peers. Sharing differing ideas can lead to insightful conversations and revelations for students as well as a newfound appreciation for reading.
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