Graphic Novels: The Perfect Vehicle for Reaching Young Activists

As a high school English teacher, I often struggle with getting my students to read something other than Instagram captions. Lately, I've been having some luck with getting them to read graphic novels, however. I have one student in particular who struggles with sitting down and reading anything or an extended period of time. Yet as soon as we begin talking about anything social justice oriented, particularly anything in regards to climate change, she becomes suddenly engaged. So, Monday, I let her borrow my copy of As The World Burns: 50 Things You Can Do To Stay in Simple Denial, a satiric graphic novel about modern environmental policy.

Of course, as teenagers do, this one walked off with my book and has yet to return it. But, I'm really kind of okay with it. The right book in the hands of a teen can change their world even help them change the world, and graphic novels seem to be better equipped than most books to do so. Lately, I've been throwing graphic novels at my students left and right because they cannot get enough of them. My students are constantly asking me for more graphic novels, specifically those with a social justice or activism leaning. They've read The Prince and the Dressmaker, Monster, Persepolis, Maus, and March. They're obsessed. More importantly, though, they're actually reading and learning new perspectives and ideas.

Graphic novels like As The World Burns are uniquely situated to grab (and more importantly) keep the attention of readers while introducing them to new and challenging ideas. They make things accessible. Take As The World Burns as an example. It directly challenges commonly held ideas regarding climate change and what individuals can actually do to prevent or change it. We usually are told that we can each make a difference if we all contribute a small bit. However, this graphic novel suggests that corporations are the driving force behind climate change and that the individual cannot really do anything. It is a new perspective for many, and new perspectives are often difficult for many to accept. Packing up these kinds of harsh truths in a cute doodle-like format makes them easy to accept. Throwing bunnies and aliens in only help as well. Things that were serious and untouchable suddenly come down to an accessible level in this art level. The book also takes this intense scientific information and brings it down to a diction level that is understandable for the everyday reader, essentially taking things out of the ivory tower were a lot of activism originates.

As she was reading, my student mentioned that the book was both funny and easy to read. She liked the art style and actually snorted with laughter during sustained silent reading in class. She said she couldn't put it down. If I had handed her a book on environmental theory or a book explaining the finer points of how capitalism contributes to climate change, she probably wouldn't have gotten past the first page or two, much less actually read it (or stolen it).

As long as it means that my students are reading, I'm ok with them stealing my books. Besides, this student is already on track to win the yearbook superlative of "Most likely to stage a protest," so this book is more up her alley than mine anyway.