ABSTRACT

This chapter argues that in a world where the only thing that is certain, apart from death and taxes, is change itself, critical literacy has to be nimble enough to change as the situation changes. The critical literacy agenda is shaped by the sociohistorical and political context, the changing communication landscape, teachers' and students' investments, and shifts in theory and practice. In a peaceful world without the threat of global warming or conflict or war, where everyone has access to education, health care, food and a dignified life, there would be a need for critical literacy. The USA is an excellent example from the political North of the continued need for critical literacy. R. Adegoke's research examined representations of foreign Africans and their countries in the South African press in order to mount an argument for including xenophobia in a critical literacy curriculum.