I along with others across the country was angered by the racism that nine year old Dallas Greene encountered while trying to enter the Ouzo Bay Restaurant in Baltimore. The youngster and his mother Marcia Grant were denied entry because young Dallas Greene was wearing athletic wear/tennis shoes. Grant pointed out to the manager that she could see another youngster around the same age on the patio area of the restaurant wearing similar clothing as her son. The question is, why was Dallas a black boy denied service while the white boy was permitted to dine? The damage is done, this display of racism is forever engrained in his memory as he saw his mother argue with the restaurant's manager, and was refused service. It angers me that this child had to experience the racism that plagued this country during the 1960's in 2020. My school librarian mind clicked on immediately, I began to think about books that celebrate the spirit of black boys. I am very sensitive about the stories for young black girls and boys...period! I am also very critical of these stories, their message and imagery portrayed in books targeted for this very impressionable audience of young readers.
- I have enjoyed books written by black authors who have authentically captured the voice, spirit, issues, and culture of the community. - I have also enjoyed books written by white authors who have done their homework and written a solid and accurate story, yet I want publishing houses to contract more black authors to write stories about our own community.
The time has come for change. Look at the 2019 statistics from the Cooperative Children's Book Center. Each spring, the Cooperative Children's Book Center releases the numbers of children's and young adult books by and about BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) received in the previous year. Only 46% of all children's books featuring black/African characters were written and/or illustrated by black/African authors and/or illustrators. Publishing houses have got to do better. I'm often in-boxed on social media by black authors who are trying to get their foot in the door. I provide as much advice, from a school librarians point of view, as I can. I understand that getting published is difficult, just look at J.K. Rowling, author of the "Harry Potter," book series. Rowlings was rejected by twelve publishing houses before she was picked up by Bloomsbury. African-American authors have it three times worst.
This brings me to a book that I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy from the publisher and had been sitting on my shelf for three weeks. I've been meaning to write a review of this book but unfortunately, life got in the way. I picked up this book again after seeing how Dallas Green's story had become a national headline. My mind drifted back to the story I read one evening after a long weary day at work and meetings. I recalled after reading the book how I felt. The story left me smiling, renewed with hope and proud that two black men wrote/illustrated a book that celebrates the beauty of black boys. Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James have created a treasure that should be on every bookshelf not just in African-American homes but all homes where little boys reside.
You may remember, the 2017 release of 'Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut,' written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James. The story was a beautiful salute to black boys, their pride, humanity and how they view themselves through a simple glance in the mirror. I truly think, "I Am Every Good Thing," is a definite winner and contender during awards season next year. Barnes lyrically describes to the reader:
I am good - I am worthy - I am proud and deserve respect.
I am allot of things, all are good, and it is the good that you must see in me as I see in myself.
These are daily affirmations I can teach my nephew who I see represented in the story and illustrations. Here's a excerpt that just made me melt:
"I am good to the core, like the center of a cinnamon roll."
Working in K-12 education, often times the beauty black boys is lost because the focus is concentrated on academic achievement, athletic abilities and behavior. The book is scheduled for release on September 1st and it's SO hard not to talk about the entire book and ruin it for others. I just can't help myself, here's a couple of stand-out excerpts and illustrations from the story:
The story ends simply with:
"I am my ancestor's wildest dream"
"I am worthy to be loved"
Simply said, thank you for writing such a beautiful book that celebrates the true essence of black boys. Barnes and James you have written a masterpiece that will be celebrated and loved for generations to come.
