Examines assumptions about literacy and challenges readers to question how it has been used historically both to empower and to oppress. This book focuses on African American middle and secondary students as a population that has experienced the consequences of inequality. It demonstrates general and specific applications to other populations. "Toward a Literacy of Promise" is an unashamed, courageous and deeply reflective look at literacy education in the lives of African American adolescents. It is theoretically rich, and practically clever, culturally complex and highly relevant to teacher education in the American context and teaching literacy in the 21st century."--Education Review "From discussions of ways literacy instruction has been withheld from, foisted upon, but rarely reveled in or revelatory for African American students to the rich discussions of critical literacy in classrooms, Toward a Literacy of Promise has it all - theory, research, history, personal stories, and visions for teaching."--Carole Edelsky, Arizona State University "Eloquent, passionate and informed by a deep understanding of theory, history and critical pedagogy, this volume demonstrates vital pathways to empowering social change teaching. Through transformative literacy instruction-the 'literacy of promise'-the authors model powerful teaching that challenges us to overcome complacency, ignorance and fear."--Joyce E. King, Georgia State University