“A World Perspective”: Wise Words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Once again, let’s give Dr. King the floor today:
Social Justice
Fighting Back Against the Attacks on Diverse and Inclusive Books
Preschooler Heather is no stranger to opposition. Lesléa Newman’s 1989 Heather Has Two Mommies, the first picture book to depict happily coupled same-sex parents and their child, faced opprobrium from conservatives since shortly after it was published. Now, it is one of a record number of books for children and teens, largely about people with marginalized identities, that are under attack across the country.
“You Are Not Alone” Is a Kid-Friendly Ode to Self-Love, Allyship, and Social Justice
A new picture book by hip-hop group the Alphabet Rockers, based on a song from their latest Grammy-nominated album, reminds kids that they always belong and encourages them to celebrate themselves, support each other across differences, and speak out against injustice.
700+ Authors, Bookstores, Publishers, and Organizations Condemn School Book Bans
Attempts to ban children’s and young adult books with characters who are LGBTQ or people of color are sadly nothing new. Such efforts have risen sharply this year, however, and more than 700 organizations and individuals have signed a statement condemning such attacks on children’s education.
Showing Our Children the Lessons of Giving
Today is Giving Tuesday, but I’m not going to ask you to give to any particular organizations. (There are any number of good ones to support with your time and/or money.) Instead, I’ll share some of the ways my spouse and I have tried to show our son the importance of giving.
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021
Today marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time to honor the lives of those who died because of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. I wish all of my transgender friends and readers love and support on this day of mourning. May those of us who are cisgender rededicate ourselves to safety, support, equality, and justice for transgender people.
Listen: “We the People” Teaches Civics Through Song (with More Than a Little Help from Some Queer Moms)
Imagine: U.S. civics lessons reframed as a call to action, set to rap, R&B, and pop music sung by some of today’s top artists, and skillfully animated, in a show created by Emmy Award winner (and lesbian mom) Chris Nee, with a theme song by Grammy Award winner (and bisexual mom) Meshell Ndegeocello, and an episode featuring Grammy Award winner (and lesbian mom) Brandi Carlile. Happy July 4, everyone—this thing exists! Listen to Carlile’s song here and learn how to catch the rest of this great new show.
Community Members Speak Up in Support of Library Children’s Wing Pride Display
A week after two county commissioners asked a local Pennsylvania library to remove a Pride Month display of children’s books from its children’s wing, community members showed overwhelming support of the display at a county meeting.
County Commissioners Request Removal of Pride Display in Library Children’s Wing
Two of the three commissioners in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, have asked a local library to remove from the children’s wing a Pride Month display featuring several LGBTQ-inclusive picture books. Many others in the community are rallying in support of the books.
May 17: Celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia — and More
Today, May 17, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). Why this date? And what two other key events in the history of civil rights also happened on this day?