When I was growing up, I was an avid reader. My mother would often find me up late at night, snuggled under a blanket with a flashlight in one hand and a book in the other. Given the choice, I would always choose to read rather than play outside. Reading was my sanctuary, sparking my imagination and nurturing my aspiration to become a writer one day.
However, the books available to me as a type A, non-sporty girl were limited. Most popular stories revolved around white boys and their dogs. I can recall reading all the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, yet I now see that they were tinged with racism. I often found myself rereading the same favorites, yearning for something more diverse. Even as a young white girl, I recognized that our literary options were predominantly white and patriarchal.
I can only imagine how my Black and Hispanic classmates felt, as none of the required readings featured characters who resembled them. It wasn’t until high school that we encountered “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Huckleberry Finn.” Unfortunately, in these narratives, Black characters were often presented in ways that served to enhance the stories of white protagonists. Other assigned readings typically cast the rare Black character as either a criminal or a sidekick.
Like many kids from the eighties and nineties, I grew up with books such as “The Secret Garden” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” My shelves later filled with “Sweet Valley High” and “The Baby-Sitters Club.” I remember the moment I learned that Claudia was Asian and Jessi was Black; this was a step towards diversity in literature that reflected the multicultural environment of my classroom. It wasn’t until shows like “The Cosby Show” and “Family Matters” that my generation witnessed Black families portrayed positively in mainstream media.
Despite the characters in my books and films mirroring my own appearance, the toys I played with, including popular dolls and action figures, failed to reflect the diverse classmates and friends I interacted with. Why didn’t our literature and history reflect the real world?
Regarding history, we barely touched on slavery and a handful of figures like Dr. King and Rosa Parks. These discussions felt like mere footnotes, as we constantly celebrated the achievements of wealthy white individuals. Our history textbooks were thick volumes filled with “facts” about white supremacy, adorned with images of pasty-white men.
It’s important to recognize that being raised on narratives centered around white male perspectives is problematic. This whitewashed history perpetuates stereotypes and fosters the illusion of white supremacy, reinforcing outdated ideas about morality and governance. It’s time we acknowledge historical truths, such as Thomas Jefferson’s relationship with Sally Hemings, the fact that Columbus did not “discover” America, and that many enslaved individuals remained unaware of their emancipation until long after the fact.
In light of this, I am incredibly grateful that my children have access to a much more diverse array of literature and historical insights. An increasing number of parents are advocating for the removal of outdated and biased textbooks in favor of accurate historical accounts. While there is still a long way to go, we are witnessing significant progress.
Books like Jacqueline Woodson’s “Brown Girl Dreaming” and Brandy Colbert’s “The Only Black Girls in Town” have become favorites in our home. My tweens are also engaging with titles such as “This Book is Anti-racist” by Tiffany Jewell and “Stamped” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. These books, authored by Black writers, provide valuable lessons on rejecting and combating racism.
My children have learned about influential figures like Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker, and Misty Copeland, the first Black woman to become a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. They have enjoyed watching “Black Panther” and “Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse” numerous times, and they can recite the soundtrack to “Jingle Jangle” by heart, along with countless episodes of “Doc McStuffins.”
There is a wealth of Black excellence that extends beyond the confines of stereotypes typically associated with music and athletics. During their lifetime, my children have witnessed the election of the first (and hopefully not the last) Black president and have seen Kamala Harris take leadership in the White House. Significant milestones, such as Georgia electing its first Black senator, Reverend Raphael Warnock, largely thanks to the efforts of Stacey Abrams, are also part of their reality.
Today, my children are exposed to Black individuals in a variety of roles that are both powerful and positive, whether in real life or fictional narratives. Gone are the days when Black characters were relegated to stereotypes or secondary roles. My kids understand that Black history encompasses a vast array of remarkable individuals rather than a select few.
This new wave of racial diversity not only benefits children of color but all kids. We want today’s youth to grow up without the burden of unlearning harmful stereotypes and distorted historical narratives. I hope that my children, along with yours, will utilize the accurate information they have gained to advocate for racial equity as adults. The era of the wealthy, white male “classics” and other white-centric media is waning, and we are all the better for it.
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Summary:
The author reflects on their childhood reading experiences, highlighting a lack of diversity in literature and history. They express gratitude for the richer, more inclusive resources available to their children today, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives in fostering understanding and acceptance. The article discusses the progress made in recent years, showcasing how children’s media now features a broader spectrum of representation, which benefits all children.
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