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Literatures and Literacies of the African Diaspora
for Children and Young Adults
Literatures and Literacies of the African Diaspora
for Children and Young Adults
Ebony Elizabeth ThomasDoctoral Candidate
Joint Program in English and EducationUniversity of Michigan
20 October 2009
Ebony Elizabeth ThomasDoctoral Candidate
Joint Program in English and EducationUniversity of Michigan
20 October 2009
OverviewOverview
A brief tour through the history of Black children’s literatures and literacies
The landscape today Discussion: Some questions to
consider
A brief tour through the history of Black children’s literatures and literacies
The landscape today Discussion: Some questions to
consider
OriginsOrigins Africa
Proverbs Fables
New World European influences Native American influences
Africa Proverbs Fables
New World European influences Native American influences
Sources of ProductionSources of Production
Propaganda STRONGLY suggested viewing: Marlon Riggs’ Ethnic
Notions (documentary available from California Newsreel)
Opening scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA2fojkReeY
Some abolition propaganda as well; Coleridge, Blake, Lamb, Garrison & others
Counternarratives – “setting the record straight for 500 years”
Propaganda STRONGLY suggested viewing: Marlon Riggs’ Ethnic
Notions (documentary available from California Newsreel)
Opening scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA2fojkReeY
Some abolition propaganda as well; Coleridge, Blake, Lamb, Garrison & others
Counternarratives – “setting the record straight for 500 years”
Literature and literate traditions during slavery
Literature and literate traditions during slavery
Penalties for learning to read Slave narratives – many available for children today in
story form (Julius Lester, Afua Cooper) Yet there were very rich slave literacies
Talking Drums and a New Language (AAE) Sounds of Blackness, “We Are The Drum”
Spirituals Paul Robeson, “Go Down Moses”
Trickster tales and Freedom Stories Anansi -> Brer Rabbit vs. Brer Fox Virginia Hamilton, The People Could Fly Verna Aardema – multiple stories
Penalties for learning to read Slave narratives – many available for children today in
story form (Julius Lester, Afua Cooper) Yet there were very rich slave literacies
Talking Drums and a New Language (AAE) Sounds of Blackness, “We Are The Drum”
Spirituals Paul Robeson, “Go Down Moses”
Trickster tales and Freedom Stories Anansi -> Brer Rabbit vs. Brer Fox Virginia Hamilton, The People Could Fly Verna Aardema – multiple stories
When Emancipation CameWhen Emancipation Came
“The former slaves and freeborn Blacks who taught freedmen’s schools were buoyed by idealism, ambition, religious zeal, and the enthusiasm of a people who hungered and thirsted for literacy. As Union armies occupied rebel territory… Black southerners clamored for education. In the words of Booker T. Washington, “it was a whole race going to school.” --Adam Fairclough, A Class of Their Own (2006)
“The former slaves and freeborn Blacks who taught freedmen’s schools were buoyed by idealism, ambition, religious zeal, and the enthusiasm of a people who hungered and thirsted for literacy. As Union armies occupied rebel territory… Black southerners clamored for education. In the words of Booker T. Washington, “it was a whole race going to school.” --Adam Fairclough, A Class of Their Own (2006)
Troubled Times: The Nadir Period
Troubled Times: The Nadir Period
Retrenchment of racism The Compromise of 1877/”Redemption” Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Sundown Towns (Loewen) Negative images of Black children (Ethnic Notions)
Periodicals for Black children Joy (Amelia Johnson, 1887) A Children’s Number (DuBois, 1915) The Brownie’s Book (DuBois, 1921)
Retrenchment of racism The Compromise of 1877/”Redemption” Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Sundown Towns (Loewen) Negative images of Black children (Ethnic Notions)
Periodicals for Black children Joy (Amelia Johnson, 1887) A Children’s Number (DuBois, 1915) The Brownie’s Book (DuBois, 1921)
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes & Arna Bontemps Novels for children are now being
republished, look for Boy of the Border Poetry about Black childhood
Countee Cullen, “Incident” Langston Hughes, “Mother to Son”
Langston Hughes & Arna Bontemps Novels for children are now being
republished, look for Boy of the Border Poetry about Black childhood
Countee Cullen, “Incident” Langston Hughes, “Mother to Son”
“A Change is Gonna Come”“A Change is Gonna Come”
Great Migration Great Depression WWII and Jim Crow’s “First Blow” The Dawn of the Civil Rights Era
Carter G. Woodson’s Negro History Bulletin
Richard Wright; James Baldwin
Great Migration Great Depression WWII and Jim Crow’s “First Blow” The Dawn of the Civil Rights Era
Carter G. Woodson’s Negro History Bulletin
Richard Wright; James Baldwin
“We Shall Overcome”“We Shall Overcome”
The role of children and young adults in the Civil Rights movement cannot be underestimated.
Much of the literature about African American young people is set during this era
The role of children and young adults in the Civil Rights movement cannot be underestimated.
Much of the literature about African American young people is set during this era
The Black Arts MovementThe Black Arts Movement
Surge of books featuring Black characters
Ebony Jr. magazine White reformers and allies
Spotlight on Jim Henson and the Children’s Television Workshop
Surge of books featuring Black characters
Ebony Jr. magazine White reformers and allies
Spotlight on Jim Henson and the Children’s Television Workshop
New Times, New ChallengesNew Times, New Challenges
Young Sisters and Brothers Hip-Hop’s Influence on African
American Children’s Texts Recognition of non-American Black
children’s literature
Young Sisters and Brothers Hip-Hop’s Influence on African
American Children’s Texts Recognition of non-American Black
children’s literature
“And Still, We Rise”“And Still, We Rise”
Children’s literature written by and featuring African Americans is a staple of school curricula and youth-serving libraries.
Taken together, the story that this literature tells is a magnificent one… from slavery and colonization to freedom and triumph.
Yet after a period of gains during the 1970s and early 1980s, the literacy achievement gap is widening.
Children’s literature written by and featuring African Americans is a staple of school curricula and youth-serving libraries.
Taken together, the story that this literature tells is a magnificent one… from slavery and colonization to freedom and triumph.
Yet after a period of gains during the 1970s and early 1980s, the literacy achievement gap is widening.
Some Key AuthorsSome Key Authors
Ezra Jack Keats Virginia Hamilton Walter Dean Myers Julius Lester Mildred D. Taylor Christopher Paul Curtis
Ezra Jack Keats Virginia Hamilton Walter Dean Myers Julius Lester Mildred D. Taylor Christopher Paul Curtis
Some Key IllustratorsSome Key Illustrators
Leo and Diane Dillon Fred and Patricia McKissack Tom Feelings Jerry Pinkney James E. Ransome John Steptoe Kadir Nelson
Leo and Diane Dillon Fred and Patricia McKissack Tom Feelings Jerry Pinkney James E. Ransome John Steptoe Kadir Nelson
Landmark TextsLandmark Texts
The Snowy Day (Keats, 1963) Sounder (Armstrong, 1970) M.C. Higgins, the Great (Hamilton, 1975) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Taylor,
1976) Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters (Steptoe,
1987) Bud, Not Buddy (Curtis, 1999)
The Snowy Day (Keats, 1963) Sounder (Armstrong, 1970) M.C. Higgins, the Great (Hamilton, 1975) Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Taylor,
1976) Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters (Steptoe,
1987) Bud, Not Buddy (Curtis, 1999)
Authors from Europe, Latin America, and the CaribbeanAuthors from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean
Rosa Guy (Trinidad) The Friends My Love, My Love
This became the stage play, “Once on This Island”
Maryse Conde (Guadeloupe) I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem
Elizabeth Borton de Trevino I, Juan de Pareja
Malorie Blackman (United Kingdom) Noughts and Crosses
Rosa Guy (Trinidad) The Friends My Love, My Love
This became the stage play, “Once on This Island”
Maryse Conde (Guadeloupe) I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem
Elizabeth Borton de Trevino I, Juan de Pareja
Malorie Blackman (United Kingdom) Noughts and Crosses
The Coretta Scott King Awards
The Coretta Scott King Awards
“The Coretta Scott King Award Seal was designed by internationally-known artist Lev Mills in 1974. The symbolism used in designing the seal centers around Dr. King's teachings and doctrines, the purpose for which the Award was founded.
“The basic circle represents continuity in movement, revolving from one idea to another. Within the circle is the image of a black child reading a book…http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/corettascottkingbookawards/abouttheawarda/cskabout.cfm
“The Coretta Scott King Award Seal was designed by internationally-known artist Lev Mills in 1974. The symbolism used in designing the seal centers around Dr. King's teachings and doctrines, the purpose for which the Award was founded.
“The basic circle represents continuity in movement, revolving from one idea to another. Within the circle is the image of a black child reading a book…http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/corettascottkingbookawards/abouttheawarda/cskabout.cfm
Relevant Printz and Caldecott Winners
Relevant Printz and Caldecott Winners
Printz Walter Dean Myers, Monster Angela Johnson, The First Part Last Marilyn Nelson, A Wreath for Emmett Till
Caldecott To date, no illustrator of African descent has
won this award.
Printz Walter Dean Myers, Monster Angela Johnson, The First Part Last Marilyn Nelson, A Wreath for Emmett Till
Caldecott To date, no illustrator of African descent has
won this award.
Other Resources for Teachers and Librarians
Other Resources for Teachers and Librarians
African-American Read-In (NCTE) African-American Children’s Resource
Bibliography (de Grummond Children’s Literature)http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/htmlcollectionhl/ch-afroamericanbib.shtml#African
African Children’s Literaturehttp://www.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/africana/children.htm
African-American Read-In (NCTE) African-American Children’s Resource
Bibliography (de Grummond Children’s Literature)http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/htmlcollectionhl/ch-afroamericanbib.shtml#African
African Children’s Literaturehttp://www.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/africana/children.htm
Questions to consider - #1Questions to consider - #1
Many have critiqued the “all-white” world of children’s literature prior to the 1960s. I hope that after this talk, you understand that authors and storytellers of African descent have always produced texts intended for young people… just not published in the mainstream! What are your thoughts about this?
Many have critiqued the “all-white” world of children’s literature prior to the 1960s. I hope that after this talk, you understand that authors and storytellers of African descent have always produced texts intended for young people… just not published in the mainstream! What are your thoughts about this?
Questions to consider - #2Questions to consider - #2 This may be a question you have touched upon
with previous guests, but who has the right to tell which stories? For instance, two prominent White authors of African American children’s literature are Ezra Jack Keats and Arnold Adoff. Many (in my opinion) do an excellent job. However, some non-Black authors have historically done harm (Ethnic Notions). Does it matter who writes books about and for children of African descent?
This may be a question you have touched upon with previous guests, but who has the right to tell which stories? For instance, two prominent White authors of African American children’s literature are Ezra Jack Keats and Arnold Adoff. Many (in my opinion) do an excellent job. However, some non-Black authors have historically done harm (Ethnic Notions). Does it matter who writes books about and for children of African descent?
Questions to consider - #3Questions to consider - #3
What are your thoughts about the ways that Africa is represented in children’s literature, television shows, and movies? What are some of the challenges that we face as teachers, librarians, and others who select and provide texts for the young in light of this?
What are your thoughts about the ways that Africa is represented in children’s literature, television shows, and movies? What are some of the challenges that we face as teachers, librarians, and others who select and provide texts for the young in light of this?
Any additional questions?Any additional questions?
Thanks for letting me be with you tonight!
My contact information: [email protected] http://sitemaker.umich.edu/
ebonyelizabeththomas/
Thanks for letting me be with you tonight!
My contact information: [email protected] http://sitemaker.umich.edu/
ebonyelizabeththomas/
