This introduction articulates the present history of multilingualism research in the West to contextualize the relevance of Freire’s grassroots literacy philosophy to multilingual education. This chapter also considers aspects of Freire’s influential theories of emancipatory education in light of his experiences in multilingual African nations. Finally, the authors advocate for a (re)turn to the material and spiritual aspects of Freire’s non-dichotomist approach to language in literacy instruction, which they contend remains invaluable to de-colonial struggles preoccupied with the humane education of linguistically diverse communities.