Easy Like Sunday Morning: Black Boys

     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:

Black boys are that ball of energy, this image reminds me of a couple of my students and my nephew.  They struggle with staying in their seat, they are thinking ahead of you, recognizing they can help in any situation and they want to be a part of the mix.  They view themselves as a superhero with the ability to conquer any challenge they encounter with humor, a smile and bright eyes to match.  

This page really resonated with me.  Because of the racial times that we live in, I find myself reinforcing messaging that the parents of my black boys engrain in their minds.  Be polite, courteous,  a gentleman and scholar at all times, especially when others are suspicious or don't think you are worthy.  Look at the picture in this photo of this teen.  The man staring at the teen could be interpreted as surprise, respect or suspicion, regardless this is a teen and he will make mistakes and is still learning about 'people' and how to navigate in this complex and racist society we live in.

Despite the narrative that is assumed, this is a accurate depiction of African-American fathers with their sons.  The smiles and interaction is accurate while sharing what looks to be a common love:  basketball.  Sports can often serve as a bonding tool between father and son.  I fondly recall my brother and late father watching Chicago Bears Football on Sunday's after church.  My mother and I were responsible for bringing snacks to both of them while they screamed and barked at the television set.  This 'good noise' often interrupted my Sunday reading time but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  My brother was happy to get that uninterrupted time with my father as he schooled him on the game while cheering for Chicago Bear greats Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and William 'Refrigerator' Perry.  That interaction moved from the home to the field with my father yelling encouragement from the sidelines as my brother played pee-wee and high school football.

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.