Systemic Racism & the Publishing World

I love this meme because it fits clearly into my dissertation  research.  My heroes, W.E.B. DuBois and Frederick Douglass are both influencers of this theory.  Here's  a very brief excerpt from one of the papers I'm writing on systemic racism and the publishing world.

Systemic Racism is a theory that accounts for individual, institutional, and structural forms of racism.    

There are several forms of systemic racism.  From a librarian's lens, this type of racism takes place in the publishing world.  Authors of color are often discouraged from publishing their books by major publishing houses or are rejected by publishing houses.  They claim that there isn't an 'audience' for the work or that only a small population of the African-American community reads.

When these same authors self-publish and build their own audience on a Indie level, publishing houses then view them as credible investments.  Why weren't they provided the initial opportunity as their white counterparts?

When African-Americans see content that is of interest to them, they read it.  Moreover, when African-Americans see themselves in literature whether it be a representation of their community, circumstance or experience, they can relate to it......they read books.   This isn't rocket science, but I've been saddened over the years by others in the field that just don't get this.  

Like any other group in this country, our reading interests do count!  I've been asked for years have I've gotten African-American teens interested in reading. 

Here are my three simple steps:

#1 - Listen to what they are interested in 

#2 - Build your collection from those  recommendations 

#3 - Defend the student's interests and the selection of books they are interested in

Unfortunately those who are in decision making positions at publishing houses fail to understand this.  These barriers have been in place for years and is one of the reasons why systemic racism in publishing continues today.  When publishing houses create in-house decision making boards that represent a broad spectrum of diverse cultures and backgrounds in this country, its a step towards a positive change.  

Systemic racism is an ill of our society and can be abolished if everyone unites together to end it.

Street Lit Writers MUST Be Heard

I rarely post comments on articles, I just read them.  NPR recently posted the story, "Hip-Hop in Print: Brooklyn Publisher Looks to 'Reverse Gentrify' Literature.   The story featured Street Lit. writer, Albert 'Prodigy' Johnson and his drive to publish books that change lives.   He said, "Writing lyrics, I pull from my real life,"  "A lot of negativity that goes on in my world, in my neighborhood, with my friends, negative things I had to deal with — I take that negative energy and instead of doing something bad with it, I put it into my music."  You see, there are similarities between hip hop music and Street Lit, both are creative reflections of what the writers see and experience.

Author/Rapper Prodigy

It's great that writers within the genre are finally getting the press coverage they deserve.  What irks me is the inability or in some cases stupidity of some who comment on these article comment threads.  Yes, there I said it....now I feel better.   I know some of you are saying to yourself, what do you expect K.C.?  Those who commented can comment easily behind a computer....that's true.  I don't know what got into me, but I had to speak my mind too.  Below is the comment I posted earlier this morning.  You may not agree, but the least thing you can do is respect my view.   Heck, NPR may not even post it, but I will here.

*Please note, since I reference the test scores at my school, I penned these comments under my school's blog name, The Audacious Librarian.

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Below is the definition of Street Literature:

Contemporary Street Literature can be defined as a literary genre "where the stories, be they fiction or non-fiction, are consistently set in urban, inner-city enclaves. Street Literature of yesteryear and today, by and large, depicts tales about the daily lives of people living in lower income city neighborhoods. This characteristic spans historical timelines, varying cultural identifications, linguistic associations, and various format designations."
  - The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature, by Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris, 2011, p. 2.



What people tend to forget is all stories have VALUE.  Street Literature writers view life from a different lens which reflect their communities and life experiences. These writers represent of group of people/stories which have historically been ignored by publishing houses. Hence, this is why many of the writers began their careers 'self-publishing'.  I believe the real reason why the discussion has turned negative on this comment thread is that the stories represent inner city America of which many of us escaped from.  Remember, like other writers that pen stories for other genres, writers write what these see and experience.  These stories make some of us uncomfortable and in some cases , many of us cannot relate to what it is like to live in these cities. My question to all of us is, 'Should the voices and stories of those left behind in inner city America be ignored?'  I don't think so.

Public Enemy's Chuck D. said years ago, “Rap is black America's CNN.”  Yes, there are similarities to rap music and Street Literature books.  Serving as a Library Media Specialist in a inner city school

in Chicago, I understand my students love for this genre.  I select books within the genre to meet students social and emotional needs.  Moreover, these stories are life lessons that teach right from wrong and guide students in navigating life's challenges.   For the last ten years, I have used this genre to engage my non-reading students to read consistently.  The genre serves as a starting point out of the gate for these struggling readers.  Once they become interested in reading, I introduce them to other genres with similar themes.  What often happens is my students become avid readers of all genres.  They continue to read Street Literature sometimes for class assignments and often times for their own leisure reading enjoyment.  Reading scores have increased at my school since 2010 and the use of the Street Literature genre is one of the main contributors to this success.

The voice of inner city America as retold by Street Literature writers MUST be heard.

KC Boyd
The Audacious Librarian
http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com


Source:
"Hip-Hop in Print: Brooklyn Publisher Looks to 'Reverse Gentrify' Literature.
by Baz Dreisinger
http://www.npr.org/2014/08/30/344046504/hip-hop-in-print-brooklyn-publisher-looks-to-reverse-gentrify-literature   

The Readers' Advisory Guide to Street Literature, by Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris, 2011, p. 2.

Walter Dean Myers New York Times Article

I ran across this article through a Facebook post today and had to share.  

Author Walter Dean Myers speaks very candidly about the lack of people of color in children's books today in a New York Times article.  With so many advancements that have been made in society, our image is not represented in literature.  Is it because there are a lack of African-American writers?  Interest about the African-American community as a whole? Could it be there is a quiet effort to prevent our story from being told and preserved in print for generations to come?  You be the judge after reading this article from this prolific author.  

Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books? by Walter Dean Myers

Oh, My Funny Student

*Please note:  To protect the privacy of my student in this article, she will be called Bianca.  

My Student *Bianca

Last year, my student *Bianca read Ni-Ni Simone's "Shortie Like Mine" in one day.  I believe her excitement about reading the book was peaked after hearing a book talk on some of the new books in the library. After reading the book, she came back to the library to check out "If I Were Your Girl".  Unfortunately the three copies including the fourth, my personal copy, were all checked out.  I thought about ordering another copy but couldn't because I had spent all of my fall book money.  Needless to say, she was frustrated. I placed the book on reserve for her and reassured her that the book would return soon.

Since placing the book on reserve, Bianca stopped by the library every day to see if the book had been returned.  Bianca would lean in the library door before school, during the lunch periods and after school and say, "Is it here?', with a smile and a gleam in her eyes.  I assured her that when the book was returned, I would bring the book to her classroom.   Believe me, I really understood her urgency to read the next book in the series.  When you are reading a really good book series, you want to finish one book and continue onto the next one without interruption.  The worst that can happen is when the book is checked out, one can feel frustrated because you have to wait to see what happened to the character(s). 

What I didnt' realize was how 'determined' Bianca could be.  Since the book had not been returned, she decided to take matters into her own hands.   The female students at my school place a book they are reading directly in the back of their clear book bags.  They do this to show off what they are reading to other students while walking down the hallways during passing periods.  When Bianca spotted the book in another students bag she told them to 'hurry up', because 'she' was ready to read the book. When she learned that one of the girls was almost done reading the book one morning, she begged her to return it before school ended. The young lady did and of course, Bianca returned after school to finally pick up her book.  Since that time, Bianca has read all five books in the Ni Ni Simone book series and is waiting for the author's spring 2012 release.  

This year, Bianca is a Senior and has read just about all of my popular YA Fiction in my library.   To keep her interested and reading, I've introduced her to adult Street Lit. books written by Ashley & JaQuavis.  Ashley & JaQuavis style of writing is fast paced, suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  I felt that their books would surely interest Bianca.  She checked out "The Cartel - Part I" along with four other titles to keep her reading over the three week Christmas vacation.  When school resumed Bianca was back in the library again.  She expressed how much she enjoyed the book and we exchanged opinions about some of the characters.  

The Cartel Series by Ashley & JaQuavis

When Bianca learned that "The Cartel - Part II" was still checked out, I assured her that it would return soon.  She asked me who had the book and my reply was, "We are not going to go down that path again, you can't harass people to finish the book early for your convenience."  I assured her that I would reserve the book for her and suggested that she check out another book while she waited.   I also mentioned that the book would return a day or so because one of the teachers, who is a avid Street Lit. reader, had checked it out.   With that, Bianca left the library and I thought all was well.  Well it wasn't, during our conversation I made a big mistake.  While assuring Bianca that the book would return soon, I accidentally said the name of the teacher who had the book, Mrs. Bates. 

The next day, Mrs. Bates returned the book.  When I thanked her for bringing the book back early because a student had requested the book, she knew about the student.  She said Bianca came to her classroom three times looking for the book.   I also learned that she accidentally went to another teacher's class in error looking the book as well.   Upon the third time coming to the classroom and interrupting class, Mrs. Bates finally asked Bianca, "Who are you?"  (I just wish you could have heard how Mrs. Bates asked that question, you would be laughing too!)  She was just as surprised as I was in Bianca's boldness and determination to check out, The Cartel - Part II".  Needless to say, I checked the book out to Bianca and delivered it to her while she was attending her British Literature class.    In true Bianca style, she read the book under a 24 hour period.  While she is waiting for "The Cartel - Part III", to return, she is reading a book by another popular Street Lit. author.

I share this story with all of you to say this is why I'm committed to providing good cautionary stories for African-American pre-teens and teens.  Street Lit books in particular are stories that my students have deep affinity to.  These stories take place in neighborhoods that are similar to their own, describe a experience that they can relate to and makes them think about the choices that affect their lives.  

My Library Media Center

While many of my librarian colleagues shy away from circulating these books, I don't.   I am very fortunate to have a supportive administrative team at my school that is supportive of my efforts to get students reading.  I am also able to circulate these adult Street Lit titles in accordance to the library collection development policy.   The emotional and social needs of my students is quite unique from other library programs throughout the district, city and state.  This is why I continue to identify books that 'speak' to my students.   I often wonder who was the person(s) that said African-American children don't read?  They need to visit my library and other libraries across the country where Street Lit. circulation statistics are higher than other genres.  Maybe, just maybe they will rethink that statement.  

Gettin' Down in the Sunshine

Wherever you go,

no matter what the weather,

always bring your own sunshine.  

                     Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book 

I'm back!!!  For those of you that have wondered what the heck I've been up to, I've been engrossed with setting up my new home.   I'm now serving as a Library Media Specialist at a high school.  It's exiting work but challenging.  Here's a short list of tasks presented to me over the last couple of months.

- weeding the existing collection

- packing up the wanted books

- waiting for the construction crew to rebuild the library and computer lab

- working with furniture and book vendors

- negotiating book donations

- providing in-service for the staff on library services    and databases

- unpacking and shelving the books

- arranging upcoming speaker series/guests

During this time, the Library Media Center has been closed.  I'm so thankful that I'm able to do this without a sense of urgency...something every librarian wishes for right?  Am I a solo Library Media Specialist? Yes, I am and as the kids say, 'I'm going to do the *amm thing' and connect teens with books.   Everyday I have a group of teens that inquire about circulation of books and use of the online resources.  Every evening I'm exhausted from work, but it's worth it. I just can't wait to open this much needed 'peaceful' haven for teens and expose them to a little sunshine.  

Bye for now, K.C.

2010 Mayor Daley's Book Club Spring Conference

The Mayor Daley's Book Club Spring Conference was held on Saturday, May 15th.
This annual conference is sponsored by the Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries and Information Services and is the culminating event of the year for participating book club members in grades 7th -12th. 
Middle and high school book club students hear greetings from Mayor Daley, special guests and attend literacy and career oriented workshops lead by nationally known speakers, authors, artists and corporate professionals.   The highlight of the day was the High School Battle of the Books Competition where three high schools competed for the citywide championship trophy (Whitney Young High School was the winner).   This year, the DiscoPoet - Khari B. served as the Master's of Ceremonies.  Authors Allan Stratton, Earl Sewell, Kate Gingold and Monica McKayhan were special guests and provided workshops for the students.  

I began reflecting on this event this morning during my morning meditation and came up with a list of reasons why the Mayor Daley's Spring Conference is a success and positively impacts the lives of CPS tweens and teens: 

1.  The cooperation of the Department of Libraries and DuSable High School Campus staff members and students to make this event successful.  It could not have been done with them.  The DuSable High School Campus librarian, Sara Sayiah is just an angel sent down from the heavens!

2.  The numerous companies that donated books for the students:  Kimani Tru, Triumph, and Follett Resources.  All of the students left this conference with a bag full of books to kick off their summer reading.

3.  Our Special Guests for this event provided great workshops:
   The DiscoPoet - Khari B. - his flexibility in the gym and giving a presentation that about writing poetry and performing.      http://www.disco-poetry.com/index2.htm
   Allan Stratton - for sharing his very personal journey when he wrote 'Chandra's Wars' and autographing hundreds of copies of his book for the students.    http://allanstratton.com/
   Monica McKayhan - for providing a great workshop where students learned how to identify their talents and things that they like to do.  Thanks for the book Monica!  http://monicamckayhan.com/  
   Kate Gingold - for providing an insightful workshop on historical narrative and reality television.  The students enjoyed meeting this local author.    http://www.kategingold.com/   

   Earl Sewell - for autographing hundreds of books and giving a great workshop for all of the middle school students.  The "Keysha's Drama Series" really touched the lives of the students this year.   http://earlsewell.com/homepage.html 

4.  There were over 25 additional workshops provided on a number of subjects. 

• Writing and getting your book published
• Reader's Theatre (Chicago Public Library's Teen Volume)
• Financial Literacy
• Book Illustration

• Bookmaking
• Database usage for research for students
• Motivational speakers
• Family genealogy
• Preparing for college financially
• Public speaking etiquette
• Mexican and African-American storytelling
• Performance poetry
• Hip-Hop Yoga and Relaxation Techniques

 All of the presenters were great and appreciated because they donated their time, talent and gifts for the students.  Special thanks to authors Naleighna Kai/J.L. Woodson and Top Ladies of Distinction - Lincoln Park Chicago Chapter for securing external donations for the students that attended their sessions.

5.  The Mayor Daley's Book Club facilitators for taking time out of their busy Saturday to chaperone their students at this event. 

Carol Rezmer, CPS Librarian and Mayor Daley's Book Club facilitator said it best, "Books become more real when kids meet authors."  This is so true.  Connecting kids to books, authors and giving them the experience of meeting adults that work in a variety of professions is a valuable experience that the students will never forget.

It's Graduation Time!

I'm going to divert my usual posts and share a very personal story.

My cousin/God sister Jessica graduated today from St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, Louisiana.   I couldn't attend this event because of my responsibilities with the Mayor Daley's Book Club Spring Conference this weekend...so I'm missing out on the fun with the relatives.  

As I reflected on Jessica's life, I thought about how this young lady is so well spoken, an excellent student, and her participation in several theatre troops/clubs in and outside of school.  I also thought about seeing her for the first time when she was a baby...these kids grow up so fast!

Jessica and her family are very special to me and I admire them greatly.  Her parents, Johnny and Denise are both believe that education is the key to success.  Their family decided to stay in New Orleans and re-build their home after the devastation of HurricaneKatrina.   Along with re-building their home, they never lost their focus for their children's education.  Johnny and Denise continued to send their three daughters to Catholic School within the New Orleans area despite the cost...how many families do you know could have done this? 

Along with the girls parents, their oldest sister Sabrina is a role model for them as well.  Sabrina has a Bachelors and Master's Degree and works at a local New Orleans University teaching music.  These positive influences have resulted in Jessica's admittance to Loyola University of New Orleans!  Do you agree, Oprah Winfrey needs to feature them on her show? 

Along with maintaining good grades at Dominican, Jessica is active in her church, a computer whiz and a friend to many.  The future is bright for our 2010 High School Graduates and let's salute all of these young people across the country.

P.S.  My family is eating crawfish as we speak....man I wish I was there!