Showing posts with label A Quick Blog Post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Quick Blog Post. Show all posts
"Nah." Rosa Parks,1955
For many, Parks was the quiet seamstress and mother of the Civil Rights Movement when in
fact, she was so much more.
As a child she
listened to her grandfather, who admired the teachings of Marcus Garvey, tell stories
of a unification and empowerment of black people. Hearing these stories of struggle, self-pride
and determination inspired her to become an activist for justice. Her husband
Raymond was the founder of the Montgomery branch of the NAACP and she
served as the chapter’s secretary.
What
many do not know, when Parks was 18, she narrowly escaped a rape attempt of
a white man while working as a domestic. Years later, Parks would serve as
an NAACP investigator for the sexual violence against black women by white men. Parks worked on
many cases with the NAACP, including the Scottsboro Boys defense of 9 black
teenage boys accused of rape in Alabama in 1931.
Parks was trained
in non-violent resistant strategies by the NAACP. After her 1955 historic bus ride, Parks was
often the target of death threats and struggled to gain employment within the
Birmingham area. Parks and her husband
relocated to Detroit, Michigan in 1957 where she continued to work as a
seamstress. She was hired by Congressman
John Conyers to work as his administrative assistant in 1965 until her
retirement in 1988. Parks continued to lend her support in causes
after retirement by participating in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1990s.
I proudly wear this t-shirt today to celebrate Rosa
Parks,
a black woman, a feminist, MY SHERO.
a black woman, a feminist, MY SHERO.
Shout Out - Fresh Banter
A critical voice
Insightful writer
Lover of Words
Life Skills Believer
High School Educator
Check out my co-worker's blog, FreshBanter - https://freshbanter.wordpress.com
Yes Indeed!
Check out this article from the Huffington Post entitled, 'Here Are The Most Popular Books Of 2013 From The Nation's Top-Ranked Library'. Guess what? A Street Literature book is among the most circulated during the 2013 calendar year throughout libraries within the Chicago Public Library system.
Who said Street Lit. wasn't a genre? I think it's time for the critics to accept that this genre isn't going anywhere.
Who said Street Lit. wasn't a genre? I think it's time for the critics to accept that this genre isn't going anywhere.
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| Harold Washington Library Center |
A Hip-Hop Legend
The Coretta Scott King Awards were announced last week and I like many school librarians enjoy seeing which books are awarded. This year's list is special to me because one book in particular really took me back to a time in my teenage years.
“When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop” written by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III is a picture book for young readers that introduces them to rap pioneer DJ Kool Herc. Born Clive Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica is credited for launching hip-hop during the early 70's. The book describes his roots in Jamaica, how he began hosting music infused parties in his Bronx neighborhood and his influence on modern hip-hop today.
Taylor is the winner of the 2014 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent. If you would like to check out some excerpts from this award winning book, visit his website at: www.theodore3.com.
Long live hip-hop!
“When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop” written by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III is a picture book for young readers that introduces them to rap pioneer DJ Kool Herc. Born Clive Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica is credited for launching hip-hop during the early 70's. The book describes his roots in Jamaica, how he began hosting music infused parties in his Bronx neighborhood and his influence on modern hip-hop today.
Taylor is the winner of the 2014 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent. If you would like to check out some excerpts from this award winning book, visit his website at: www.theodore3.com.
Long live hip-hop!
Black History Month....SNL Style
Just a little humor to begin Black History Month offered by Saturday Night Live.
K'Wan Is Coming To Chicago!
K'Wan is coming to Chicago!
- K’wan has been featured in: Vibe, Pages, King, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, and Time Magazine, to name a few.
- K’wan was also the recipient of the 2012 and 13 Street Lit Book Award Medals (SLBAM) in adult fiction for Eviction Notice and Animal.
- His credits also include featured commentary in the award winning Documentary Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp (produced by Ice-T) as well as a reoccurring guest role on TV-One’s Celebrity Crime Files.
- K’wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
K'Wan also has appeared on TV One's 'Celebrity Crime Files' along with author Karen Quinones Miller. Below is a direct link to my favorite episode where they both give an ACCURATE account of the life of Bumpy Johnson.
Brooklyn's In the House!
If you are in the Brooklyn area next weekend, be sure to check out this event!
The symposium “Street Literature: Love
it or Loath it” will take place November 15 at the Central Library of the Brooklyn Public Library from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
We will debate the central question whether the genre gives voice to a
sector of society that has been traditionally neglected as proper literature or
does it perpetuate stereotypes and glorify the underbelly of urban living? What is the answer to that age old adage “any
reading is good reading”.
Vanessa Irvin Morris, author of the definitive guide to street literature “The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Street Literature,” will set the table for this symposium
with a comprehensive review of street literature and moderate a panel
discussion of experts to examine the nuances of this genre from a range of
perspectives. The symposium will also feature a panel of prominent street
literature authors, including Wahida Clark and K’Wan to discuss their work,
answer questions, and meet and greet attendees.
Where Are You Murderville 3?
I made the BIG mistake of taking my pre-ordered copy of Murderville 3 by Ashley and JaQuavis to work. I always read the book first, then donate it to my library collection at work. One of my students spotted it in my library bag and the next thing I know, I was entering the book into my circulation system so that she could check it out. All I heard was, "Please-please-please-PLEASE!
That was the second week of September. Needless to say, I have a waiting list for the book, which has been renewed six times, to come back. I guess I'm going to be ordering e-book next weekend....LOL! Check out this suspenseful book trailer. I just can't wait to read this book and see what happens to Dahlia.
That was the second week of September. Needless to say, I have a waiting list for the book, which has been renewed six times, to come back. I guess I'm going to be ordering e-book next weekend....LOL! Check out this suspenseful book trailer. I just can't wait to read this book and see what happens to Dahlia.
The African-Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
Reposted from PBS.ORG
Noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. recounts the full trajectory of African-American history in his groundbreaking new six-part series, The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, premiering Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 8-9 p.m. ET on PBS.
Written and presented by Professor Gates, the six-hour series explores the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed — forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds. Commencing with the origins of slavery in Africa, the series moves through five centuries of remarkable historic events right up to the present.
Check your local listings for broadcast times here. BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Hot Reads!
Here's a couple of hot reads in my Library Media Center. It's only the second week of school and I have over dozen requests for these books. Students must have a parental consent form on file to check out these books. This form helps me greatly because I get these books back with the parents help.
Bluford Series on Go Readers
I just loooooovvvvve Paul Langan, author of the popular Bluford Series for pre-teens and teens. He has cleverly created a audiobook player called Go Reader. Each volume contains five novels in the popular Bluford series and is a must buy for your library media center program. This is great because my reluctant/struggling readers can enjoy the twenty books in this wonderful series with their classmates. So far, the students absolutely love the Go Readers! #BossLibrarianChronicles#libraries #librarians
eCards: My New Love
Here's a cross post from my Library Media Center blog, The Audacious Librarian This picture is definitely me. Thanks to my girl Sharon for sharing this.
Cool Quotes
If there's one thing I love is someone advocating and speaking positively about Street Literature. Check out these quotes below. I just love those brothers from Cash Money Content.
#LatePost: Wahida Clark Visits Chicago
Yes it's been a long minute since I've posted. Just check out my other blog, The Audacious Librarian and you will understand why. Moving forward, I'm playing catch up on several posts that should have been up for a long time.
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| Me with the Queen of Street Lit, Wahida Clark |
A Nod to School Librarians
I had to share this. The quote below is from young adult author, Ni-Ni Simone and it just warmed my heart...
"We need more school librarians who understand that we must get our children to read. The way we do that is to give them books that make them want to read and never stop!"
Author, Ni-Ni Simone
The Bluford Series Is Very Traditional
Special thanks to author Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris, author of the popular Street Literature blog and The Reader's Advisory Guide to Street Literature for posting this interview of author Paul Langan!
For those who are critical of the popular Bluford Series (Townsend Press), please read the following response. In a 2011 New York Times interview, author Paul Langan explains why tweens and teens are so drawn to his books. It's time to wake up everyone and recognize our tweens and teens need to read stories that reflect themselves, neighborhoods and challenges in their lives.
For those who are critical of the popular Bluford Series (Townsend Press), please read the following response. In a 2011 New York Times interview, author Paul Langan explains why tweens and teens are so drawn to his books. It's time to wake up everyone and recognize our tweens and teens need to read stories that reflect themselves, neighborhoods and challenges in their lives.
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| New Bluford Series releases, "Promises to Keep" and "Survivor" by Paul Langan |
This portrait of the Bluford Series is incomplete. While the
series does depict tough issues that urban teens encounter in their lives,
there is much much more going on.
The Bluford Series celebrates family, friendship, and
civility. Characters in the books are complex human beings, not stereotypes or
caricatures. They are vulnerable and insecure. They have fears and anxieties as
well as strengths. Some are honor students; others are caretakers for their
siblings or ill grandparents. A few work to support their families while also
going to school. All of them face difficulties that young people encounter in
their lives. Each must wrestle to make good choices even when those choices are
not popular or easy or obvious. Readers can relate to this; they do it everyday
- or at least they try to.
Watch kids reading the series, and you will see young people
concentrating on complex moral questions. You will see them comparing what they
read to what they have experienced. You will see them on the edge of their
seats rooting for a character to save a peer, help a family member, or avoid a
pitfall. In short, you will see young readers absorbed in the written word.
This is why the Bluford Series exists: to get kids reading - to give them that
magic experience of being totally absorbed in a book.
To achieve this, I made choices to keep the books
meaningful, relevant, and exciting. But at the core, the Bluford Series is very
traditional. It speaks to issues of the heart - only in this case that heart
includes diverse teens, an audience often on the outside looking in when it
comes to books.
Dr. King Holiday Message
I am so proud of our students! Last week they really worked hard to shoot and appear in their own Dr. King holiday message. This video is now posted on the school's website for all to see. They did a wonderful job and I think you will agree after viewing the video. Additional Dr. King Holiday resources including a slideshow from my trip to his memorial can be found on the Phillips Library Wiki at - http://wphillipslibrary.wikispaces.com/Special+Library+Programs+and+Events
The King Holiday 2013: Remember! Celebrate! Act!
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Message from AUSL Wendell Phillips Academy High School - 1080p from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.
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