Cultural Literacy According To E.d. Hirsch

923 Words2 Pages

According to E.D. Hirsch, to be culturally literate is to possess the basic

information to thrive in the modern world. It is the "grasp on the background

information that writers and speakers assume their audience already has." In

his book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know, Hirsch sets

forth 5,000 essential words and phrases of which each person should be

knowledgeable. The list ranges from idioms to mythology, from science to fairy

tales. Why has this list prompted a notable debate on our country's educational

standards? E.D. Hirsch believes that the literacy of American people has been

rapidly declining. The long range remedy for restoring and improving American

literacy must be to "institute a policy of imparting common information in our

schools." In short, according to Hirsch - the answer to our problem lies within

the list.

Hirsch's book explains the importance of the need of a higher level of national

literacy. His main argument is that cultural literacy is required for effective

communication and the "cooperation of many people..." Communication is what

Hirsch sees is essential for success in today's society. Communication is the

key to equality in America. With increased cultural literacy, an egalitarian

society is eventually possible. One common body of knowledge for everyone will

be the glue that holds society together.

Hirsch also points out the senselessness of concepts such as multi-culturalism

and multi-lingualism. He acknowledges the importance of the numerous cultures

and ethnicities of which United States is comprised. Hirsch mentions the

"hyphenated American: the Italo-American, the Polish-American, the Afro-

American, the Asian-American and so forth." He points out that he is in favor

of each minority's protection, nurture, and respect; however, he strongly feels

that people need to decide what "ŒAmerican' means on the other side of the

hyphen...what national values and traditions really belong to national cultural

literacy." American cultural literacy should be based on our traditions --

morality of tolerance and benevolence, the Golden Rule, communal cooperation,

altruism and freedom. It is in this way that Hirsch argues those in opposition

of cultural literacy. Many opponents question Hirsch's view by questioning who

would decide this common body of knowledge for everyone. People debate what is

includedin "the list" on the basis of multiculturism. They ask, is the

knowledge equally important to every citizen of the United States no matter what

race, gender or religion? Hirsch responds by putting the emphasis on the other

side of the hyphen - the American side.

When reading Hirsch's book, I strongly agreed with his big picture of cultural

literacy and agree that it is important to establish a common body of knowledge

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