build a curriculum that puts students’ lives at the center
Assuming, of course, that we have the freedom to make these choices about what to teach. If we don't, if our curricula are prescribed, then this becomes more challenging. Not impossible, certainly, but much more difficult.
We can’t race through a half-dozen novels. I’m forced to make difficult choices about what I include and what I leave out. Often one novel will provide the center, or core, and I’ll surround it with other texts, role-plays, videos, improvs, museum visits, speakers
This reminds me of the shift that's occurred in our English curriculum. We've gone from having a novel or extended piece at the center and surrounding it with supporting texts to racing through as much as we can. That's what it seems like, at least.
A critical literacy means that students probe who benefits and who suffers, how did it come to be this way, what are the alternatives, and how can we make things more just
Training students to think this way would help them look at many aspects of life. Literature is a good way in to thinking about this. I'd imagine that asking this same set of questions about just about anything would produce some very interesting discussion and change some perspectives.
in the right way
It does seem that there's a "right way" to answer questions in these sorts of situations. Much of the time, it's about playing the game and using the right terminology.