If you missed the Massachusetts September 2021 Education Committee hearing on Bill: S.365/H.584 Act Relative to Anti-Racism, Equity, and Justice in Education, you can click the link to watch it here: Hearing Details – Joint Committee on Education (malegislature.gov). Supporters of the Bill: S.365/H.584 believe it represents an exciting opportunity to come together and rethink education to more truly serve students. Opponents believe it plants a seed of hate and discontent within children. Whatever you believe, the reality is that critical race theory (“CRT”) is nothing new. According to Wikipedia, CRT began in the United States in the post–civil rights era, as 1960s landmark civil rights laws were being eroded and schools were being re-segregated. With racial inequalities persisting even after civil rights legislation was enacted, CRT scholars in the 1970s and 1980s began reworking and expanding critical legal studies theories on class, economic structure, and the law to examine the role of U.S. law in perpetuating racism. One thing is certain, we need to create an education system that reflects today’s need, curriculum matters. As we wait for the outcome of Bill: S.365/H.584, this is a great time to take a look a what we introduce to our children. Now is a great time to incorporate local authors into the curriculum to help inspire a new generation of literary talent.
Two local authors hailing from Massachusetts released books in 2021:
Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day
by Zenda M. Walker and Illustrated by Princess Karibo
A book written by former Dorchester resident Zenda Walker which is a semi-biographical story about the hair text are and cultural styles of people of African descent and are linked to a colorful and layered ancestral story.
Clara Wu and the Portal Book: Book One
By Vincent Yee, and Illustrated by Timmy Luong
Clara Wu don’t necessarily knock Harry Potter off his broom but the book shows that Asian American children can fight for good over evil. The immersive epic fantasy steeped in Asian themes that will allow Asian American teens, children and even adults, to see themselves as the heroes in story. A story aimed at better Asian Representation!
Both Zara’s Wash Day and Clara Wu are great books to purchase for yourself or to donate to your local elementary school. Children of color do thrive, learn, and grow when provided with opportunities to both explore and reflect upon difference in the world around them. It helps to assign readings where they see themselves reflect. Plus it is an amazing opportunity for diversity and inclusion of Black female authors.
Linda Champion is an attorney, opinion columnist and educator. She serves as board member at Education Divide Reform who advances the mission to build social harmony and global leadership through global citizenship education for young generations.
Donate at Educational Divide Reform – 501(c)(3) non-profit (edrworld.org).
Follow her on Twitter @attychamp or IG at @iamlindachampion.
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About the Author:
Kaye Long, Writer and Publisher