During the fall semester, I took a “Film as Literature“ course that focused on media produced by indigenous communities. It proved extremely informative, especially when considering the societal expectations that indigenous culture is a relic of the past.

The class demonstrated that culture is still practiced today, and this statement is proven true in “Choctaw Bigfoot“ by Tim Tingle. The traditions of language and oral storytelling continue.

I wholeheartedly agree with the message of education as a transformative power in “The Difficult Path“ by Grace Lin. Throughout the narrative, the protagonist, Lingsi, utilizes her education and reading skills to escape servitude on the high seas. This belief in education was a cornerstone of my upbringing, thanks to my educator family.

This text is perfect for students to grasp the “why“ of education and how it may truly change lives.