In the wake of the election, children’s authors and illustrators are pledging to use their talents to help eliminate fear and hatred and to spread understanding and empathy.
I write a lot about the importance of children’s books for helping children gain strength and understanding by seeing characters both similar and dissimilar to themselves. I was therefore delighted to see “A Declaration For Children: Our Vow To Uplift Through Books” at Denene Millner’s My Brown Baby and group blog The Brown Bookshelf. In it, a variety of children’s authors, including National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park, We Need Diverse Books co-founder Ellen Oh, and many others, “publicly affirm our commitment to using our talents and varied forms of artistic expression to help eliminate the fear that takes root in the human heart amid lack of familiarity and understanding of others; the type of fear that feeds stereotypes, bitterness, racism and hatred; the type of fear that so often leads to tragic violence and senseless death.”
They cite the recent election as evidence of the systemic bigotry of our country and the gaps that divide us, and explain: “As children’s book creators, we feel a special connection and responsibility to amplify the young voices that too often go unheard…. We believe it is our duty to not just create, but also to empower children, affirm their lives and stand up for change.”
To do so, they say:
For our young readers, we will create stories that offer authentic and recognizable reflections of themselves, as well as relatable insight into experiences which on the surface appear markedly different. We will use our books to affect a world brimming with too many instances of hostility and injustice. We will plant seeds of empathy, fairness and empowerment through words and pictures. We will do so with candor and honesty, but also in the spirit of hope and love.
Go read the entire pledge for an eloquent expression of why and how children’s book creators can play a part in addressing this. If you’re an author or illustrator yourself, leave a comment at The Brown Bookshelf or My Brown Baby as requested if you’d like to add your name. Additionally, read this “amendment” by Zetta Elliott on the role of the publishing industry in perpetuating inequity.
As ever, I read your blog with interest. You are So Right about needing a diversity of books for our children. My daughter just received the most wonderful surprise book in the mail. ‘Rad American Women A-Z’. A fabulous book about women of all ethnicities, backgrounds, creeds & religions. It left me with a fire in my belly :-D!
BTW- to give you some insight into your reader demographic, I am (to use euphemistic phrases) a ‘straight-supporter’. I love your blog as A Parent though; straight, gay or otherwise. You talk good sense! #lovemakesafamily xo
Thank you so much! Always happy to hear from an ally. And thanks for the book recommendation!