As a queer American Dominican woman who grew up in a white suburban neighborhood, I’ve always felt like I’m straddling between multiple worlds. Reading James Paul Gee’s work on Discourses and Hawisher and Selfe’s “Becoming Literate in the Information Age” has given me a new lens to understand my experiences with literacy and identity.
Gee defines Discourses (with a very intentional capital D) as “ways of being in the world; they are forms of life which integrate words, acts, values, beliefs, attitudes, and social identities as well as gestures, glances, body positions, and clothes.” This resonates deeply with me. I’ve had to navigate the primary Discourse of my Dominican heritage at home, the predominantly white Discourse of my suburban neighborhood, and the queer Discourse I’ve embraced as part of my identity–my secondary Discourses. Each of these spaces require different “identity kits,” as Gee puts it. I’ve had to learn to switch between them seamlessly.
My journey with literacy hasn’t been linear. I dropped out of college in 2015 only to return years later as a passionate English major. This experience aligns with Gee’s view of literacy as a “social practice” rather than just a cognitive skill. It wasn’t about my ability to read or write, but about learning the social practices and ways of thinking valued in academic Discourse.
Hawisher and Selfe’s work add another layer to this understanding. They argue that “literacy is mastered through acquisition, not learning, that is, it requires exposure to models in natural, meaningful, and functional settings.” This rings true for me and supports Gee’s original definition of Discourses. My acquisition of academic literacy didn’t happen suddenly or in a vacuum, it was shaped by various experiences in my life–running a photography business, traveling through Europe, and even managing my chronic illnesses.
As I pursue a career in publishing, I’m acutely aware of acquiring yet another secondary Discourse. Hawisher and Selfe note that “families transmit literacy values and practices in multiple directions.” As a first-generation college student, I’m not just acquiring this Discourse for myself, but potentially transmitting it back to my family, bringing together generations and cultures.
These readings have made me reflect on how my various literacies affect me professionally. From the creative world of photography to the academic realm of English literature, I believe my ability to navigate multiple Discourses gives me a unique perspective on my path to the publishing industry. It allows me to connect with diverse authors and stories, understanding the nuances of different cultural Discourses.
In the end, my literacy journey is a testament to Gee’s assertion that “Discourses are not mastered by overt instruction, but by enculturation into social practices through scaffolded and supported interaction with people who have already mastered the Discourse.” As I continue to grow and evolve, I’m excited to see how my multiple literacies will shape my professional path and personal story.
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