🎄Black Protagonist. White author. Is that ok?
Hi! Happy you're here :) Let's get into it, shall we?
It's the holiday season and we made it to see Black Santa last Sunday at the Black Santa's Workshop, with fun little activities like cookie-decorating, pictures and more. We had an amazing time and are so grateful to them for doing this for our community. The entire event was thoughtful and, honestly, the vibe was like coming home. We especially loved that this was organized by a Black woman, Talia Young. It was a stark reminder of why it's important for the ones closest to the problem (in this case, the issue of Santas being mostly white) to be the ones leading on designing the solutions. What I also love about Black Santa's Workshop is that it's for the people because Black folks are benefiting from the success of it.Â
I got permission from my little boy to share this :)
Our fam recently went to a holiday shop and I immediately gravitated to a book about Kwanzaa (more info about Kwanzaa for kids here). I snatched up a copy and showed it excitedly to Adam. He took one look at the author's name, pulled out his phone and did a quick Google search. Sure enough, we discovered that this book, detailing an African American and Pan-African holiday from the perspective of a Black child, was written through the eyes and voice of a white author. Here's why this is problematic:Â
1) There are countless Black writers who tell authentic stories from the community and don't have the opportunity to get their books published. This white author is taking up the already limited space for a Black voice to tell Black stories, taking resources directly from Black people.Â
2) There is no way that a white author can accurately reflect the fullness of the experience of a Black child. Storytellers have power and it simply isn't possible to filter the experience of a Black child through a white lens authentically. Our society already seeks to filter so much through the lens of whiteness.Â
Instead of buying the book, we borrowed a few books from our local library about Kwanzaa. It reinforced that we absolutely need to be vigilant at all times about having a critical lens around the media that the kids consume. It's not enough for books to have a protagonist from a historically marginalized community. The author also needs to be the appropriate storyteller.Â
If you're looking for some books like this, check out The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington, Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, Eyes That Kiss In The Corners by Joanna Ho, and Hannah And The Ramadan Gift by Qasim Rashid.
And can I just note that this level of vigilance as a Black person is exhausting? I dream and fight for a world where we can be assured that the storyteller of stories about people from historically marginalized communities be a part of the community and able to tell authentic stories. Filtering Black experiences through a white lens for public consumption is unfortunately common in media and it's something us parents and caregivers need to keep our eyes peeled for.Â
ALL THE THINGS :)
What I'm writing:Â
Finding harmony as a multi-faith family during the holiday season is very possible and very fun but honestly a little bit tough. Spoiler alert: We make it work.Â
If you're shopping for gifts this year, I created the Raising Antiracist Kids 2021 Gift Guide for gifts for your little ones. If you're not shopping for the holidays, bookmark this for during the year.Â
What I'm listening to:Â
I don't have tabanca (Trinbagonian word for heartbreak) but H.E.R.'s song We Made It is a soulful celebration of love. Â
Parang is Trinbagonian Christmas music that we have on repeat during this season, like this fun one for kids. Â
What I'm reading:Â
A group of local mamas and I are reading Revolutionary Mothering: Love On The Front Lines
 for our book club. I'm reading and re-reading every part of it. Â
Unlearning and learning:Â
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, creators of the First Conversations book series are hosting Our Skin: Talking About Race with Young Children - a virtual workshop for parents and caregivers on March 2nd, 2022 @ 7:30-8:30PM. Register here.
END OF YEAR GIVING
Giving all year round, if your family has the resources, is so crucial to supporting the work of dismantling inequities as a family. If you do have some extra at the end of the year, though, here are a few of my fave orgs:Â
The Stuttering Association For The Young. I have stuttered all my life and I so wish that SAY was around when I was a kid to help me be unapologetic about my stutter.Â
Custom Collaborative provides opportunities and trainings in the fashion industry for no/low-income and immigrant women.Â
Tzedek Lab is Adam's and my political Jewish home in the organizing space. Even virtually, it remains a warm and affirming space.Â
As you start the new year, I'm excited for us move into it with purpose and intention as we continue to center antiracism as a core tenet of our parenting practice.
See you on the flip side!
xo
Tabitha