tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post1247532346144252121..comments2024-03-27T00:10:30.379-04:00Comments on Sophie Blackall: Depicting Slavery in A Fine Dessertsophie blackallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10948122381079358521noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-37962026550776959542017-09-21T07:41:31.663-04:002017-09-21T07:41:31.663-04:00I see that this blog has already gotten a lot of f...I see that this blog has already gotten a lot of feedback - some of which I wholeheartedly agree with and some of which I am genuinely disappointed to read. Especially from my fellow Black people who make excuses and share misguided interpretations of it. But so goes the world. <br /><br />Clearly the author is within her rights to defend her book (albeit as culturally insensitive as it is) and makes no apologies for this. I would encourage those who are in praise of this book however, especially any teachers who are thinking of incorporating this into your class reading, to consider the perspective of young Black children in this. Parents can share what they want with their kids. Teachers have a greater level of responsibility and accountability. <br /><br />There is a shared history of Slavery within the US and indeed globally. Our ancestors and many of our elders (both Black and White) experienced slavery but from varying perspectives. One fact however is that slavery was a brutally horrific experience for people of color. One day of rest where a slave and her child might smile does not equate to a happy slavery experience. <br /><br />My biggest concern with this book (that is in addition to what has already been said) is that it perpetuates an image of Blacks that, while we cannot (and should not ) forget happened, most of us in the Black community are actively working to overcome. And all this done quite unnecessarily and without a proper context. <br /><br />While I can agree with the author that it might be an accurate depiction of what was happening in 1810, unless you are addressing (or at least attempting to address) the context of the situation, there is no place for it. What's the purpose ? You literally painted a picture of what life was like back then, with no images that might allow a parent or young reader to come to any positive conclusions. <br /><br />This book reinforces negative images of Blacks and perpetuates a form of 'mental slavery' and I am deeply troubled by that. Although the author did her research (please note that observing and researching might encourage empathy but it can never take the place of first hand experience), the messages communicated in the 'beautiful illustrations' is one that I believe should be for a much older audience. Would it be great to dialogue about in high school, or even middle school literature? sure. We could spend hours in discourse talking about the negative impact of slavery, the true sentiment behind the smiles etc., the power and resolve shown in the imagery of the mother and daughter hiding in the closet etc. At the end of the day though, this book was written for and geared towards our young children. Grades 1-3. Children who are now learning to read, now discovering their identity and who of course would be drawn to the great illustrations depicting black people in servitude to white people. This is not going to be the way my young black child learns about the beautiful differences that make us a part of the cultural tapestry. It is not going to be the way she learns about the painful aspects of her history or what we've overcome. It definitely won't be the way she learns about who she is as a beautiful black girl, free of the limitations and the subjugated roles that others try to remind us of. I know the author won't be able to relate though. <br /><br />I am writing this now because it somehow made it to my child's 2017 elementary school summer reading list. Now that I have READ the book (I do my research before drawing conclusions), I will be working actively to ensure that it is removed from our reading list. For a book that tries to espouse inclusiveness, it feels as if the author thought, "let's throw in some somewhere", and chose to depict the worst possible history of our people. <br /><br />Apart from the controversy surrounding the Black depictions though, while the book had a creative concept about weaving a common thread through centuries, it was actually very plain and really at the end of the day, not worth the read. <br />Ms. Napturalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614403074230412659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-76462996695880360272016-08-28T15:46:26.975-04:002016-08-28T15:46:26.975-04:00As an African American, I can honestly say that I ...As an African American, I can honestly say that I have nothing but praise for this book. It is quite incredible that some people are finding anything negative to say abut this beautiful, well-researched, inclusive book. I am thankful that both author and illustrator included whites, blacks, females and males as main characters in the story. My heart was thoroughly warmed when I reached the end of the book and there was a party that included blacks and whites together, including a mixed-race couple with a biracial baby. It was so forward-thinking to have a boy and father as the cooks at the end; historically, women have been the cooks, and men who wanted to cook were sidelined because cooking was deemed a "girly" pursuit. As a mother of biracial children (and having a husband who loves to cook), I sincerely appreciate all that the author and illustrator did to make this book exactly the way it is. I would not want anything changed.<br /><br />The depiction of slavery was accurate for some families that lived in the 1800s. Yes, many slave owners were cruel, but not <i>all</i> slaves were <i>always</i> being tortured endlessly at <i>all</i> times of the day. This book kept it realistic and age-appropriate. I would not have appreciated a more grotesque depiction in this book. I spoke to my daughter about the ills of slavery long before this book entered our home. We will continue to discuss it long after she is grown up. There is always more to a complex subject like slavery than can be depicted in a few pages of a children's book, which, arguably, was not written solely to address slavery in the first place--it is about a dessert! Thank you for not asking the black community how to proceed with depicting slavery; the book may never have been finished. I really feel sorry for both Emily Jenkins and Sophie Blackall. I will not reply to every critique of this book; suffice it to say, the author and illustrator are darned if they do, and darned if they don't. There will always be someone to split the proverbial hair in search of a problem. In which case, just "do you", as the popular saying goes.<br /><br />This beautiful book is only 1 piece of the cultural pie that I am serving to my children; this book is one of our favorite slices because it is well-researched, inclusive, and fun. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much my daughter enjoyed turning pages back and forth comparing the cultural and technological differences between the 4 different families! Thus, this book quickly become a favorite of ours. We read it for the first time only 2 days ago. My daughter and I are now planning on making blackberry fool for a dinner party we have been invited to. My daughter and I will make a practice batch of blackberry fool tomorrow, to ensure we can make it properly for the dinner party (and because we want to have the whole bowl of dessert to ourselves--yum!) By the way, the family inviting us is a white family. I can't help but see a similarity between our upcoming dinner party with blackberry fool for dessert and the depiction of a dinner party at the end of the book. Come to think of it, our dinner party will be like a blackberry fool itself: black and white all coming together in a deliciously fun way! Comparing a blackberry fool to my friendships with people of other races will stick with me forever because inclusiveness is beautiful and delicious, just like a blackberry fool. Thank you so much for A Fine Dessert just the way it is.Tzrdkdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12130422331098531892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-74428437198680841162016-01-28T17:54:40.983-05:002016-01-28T17:54:40.983-05:00I am glad I read the book before commenting as tha...I am glad I read the book before commenting as that gave me a whole different perspective. At first, reading others' negative comments here, it was easy to get defensive. However, having seen and read the book and the pictures, I understand somewhat the issue people are having. However, the only rough spot I saw was the depiction of the black mother and daughter hiding in the closet. Understanding how severe some might have been punished, I am confident that hiding in the closet to get a taste of a dessert would not have been worth the risk. Perhaps a better depiction would have been the both of them leaning toward each other quickly licking a spoon or something. But, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.<br /><br />That being said, I do feel that the majority of the naysayers on here and other places are blowing this issue WAY out of proportion. While I too think that slavery should never be depicted as anything other than horrifying, I think we would all be remiss to believe that slaves <i>never</i> experienced any times of happiness or joy inspite of their circumstances. And to continually harp on this author and illustrator for their capturing what is in essence a very miniscule moment of time in the grand scheme of slavery, is a sad and unnerving reflection of our current society. And many here are commenting as if the author and illustrator <i>had</i> attempted to depict all of slavery within 5- 6 pages, which, for anyone, would be virtually impossible. It is a fictional story — what "might have been" if you will, from someone's imagination — and to take it any other way is very short-sighted. I would venture to say that if this same story were written and illustrated by people of color, there would be no issue, and I would not be writing this comment. My prayer is that we can get past these minute personal agendas and work together to make the change that we want to see happen, as Ghandi said so well.Tom Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10947572329745219375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-36658631982502476962016-01-20T14:45:56.925-05:002016-01-20T14:45:56.925-05:00As a parent, I cannot dictate what books my childr...As a parent, I cannot dictate what books my children listen to. If my children don't want a book, my children leave the room. I cannot strap my children into chairs and force them Clockwork Orange style to look at any book I choose.<br /><br />My children are extraordinarily good at judging a book's tone from its cover. They know immediately if a book will be about something sad, and, if so, they refuse to let me read it to them.<br /><br />Thus, any book whose artistic tone accurately reflects the terrible reality of slavery will be immediately rejected by my children, and as a result the subject matter becomes incredibly difficult to introduce to my children during their formative years, which I feel might be a missed opportunity.<br /><br />My children were happy to read A Fine Dessert with me, because the presentation of the book was so rosy and whimsical. The book is subversive on this level, because it tricked my children into engaging with a subject matter which they normally wouldn't allow me to introduce. And they DID feel a sense of injustice during the slavery section. I think it is a powerful thing that my two, white, male children, found themselves identifying with the injustice of the girl who did all the work, but didn't get to enjoy her dessert. <br /><br />The genuine question that I think the debate about A Fine Dessert prompts is: <br /><br /><b>Under what circumstances, is it appropriate to tone down the depiction of a reality so that children will more readily choose to engage with a subject matter rather than reject it out of fear? This applies to other subjects: war, refugees, sexism, gun violence, religious intolerance.</b><br /><br /><b>Who should be the decision makers on these judgement calls? What should the process be?</b><br /><br /><b>What should be the consequences when the decision makers make a decision that ultimately runs up against popular opinion? Should the book be pulled from shelves?</b>Aranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04646619858212358028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-15272081060601048762016-01-18T00:46:32.695-05:002016-01-18T00:46:32.695-05:00Ms. Blackall - I am a professional historian, lib...Ms. Blackall - I am a professional historian, librarian, and also a parent. I have read your book. You note that research suggests that 2/3rds of enslaved families were kept together, and therefore it was not unreasonable that mother and daughter were depicted together. I would encourage you to read some of the correspondence by Henry Laurens and other southern planters who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century. Henry Laurens wrote a number of letters where he justified his continued enslavement of Africans by pointing out that he kept families together and didn't mistreat them. The point of these letters was for planters to depict themselves as "benign" or "humane" slave owners. It was a common argument trotted out by more than a few slave owners, as they were criticized for their participation in the slave trade. Their protests more or less that they were good masters and their slaves were happy were obviously disingenuous. At the end of the day, they were proponents of slavery.<br /><br />I think that reading these letters might help you understand why your depictions are problematic, and also why you're getting the angry responses you are. The Papers of Henry Laurens have been published and can probably be borrowed through interlibrary Loan. I believe the letters I described are in later volumes. There's one he wrote to Richard Oswalt in Volume 16, pages 266-267. In reality, there was nothing benign about it. Among other things, the keeping together of or separation of families was a tool of control used by masters. Children were sold away from parents as punishment if the parents were "bad." And that's only part of why it's important to look into the entire context of the separation of enslaved families. The history of slavery is full of all sorts of attempts to excuse and trivialize it from the days of slavery onward. I do hope a look at these sources will help you appreciate why your illustrations rubbed salt in a wound. <br /><br />I know that your work is for a different audience, but I encourage you to think too of the response by well-educated movie critics to 12 Years a Slave. One of the Washington Post movie critics wrote that he was shocked to see that slavery really was that violent. (I'm afraid I can't remember who at this point.) Obviously, you are illustrating for children and not adults, but do think what it means when a well-read, well-educated adult doesn't understand that slavery was horrifically violent. It shows just how far the white-washing of history has gone. We have it at all levels now. Look at the McGraw-Hill textbook last year that referred to slaves as "servants" and implied that it was voluntary labor:<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/us/publisher-promises-revisions-after-textbook-refers-to-african-slaves-as-workers.html<br /><br />The "happy slave" myth has been trotted out too from time after time. Consider this article from the NY Times that covers the essence of the "happy slave myth:"<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/opinion/putting-an-antebellum-myth-about-slave-families-to-rest.html<br /><br />Robin Santos Doak's book Slave Rebellions might also provide more food for thought. (Out of print, I believe, but a used copy can be had for under a dollar on Amazon.) I hope this all gives you a better appreciation of the reaction you've received.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16608647986722053337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-12572852863863556902016-01-16T17:46:11.489-05:002016-01-16T17:46:11.489-05:00The only reason anyone would write and furthermore...The only reason anyone would write and furthermore invest money to publish this type of filth is because they are part of the racist society that promotes and minimalizes slavery. In the US there is still something called free speech, so this would be the premise on which it is based. Truly irresponsible.Poetry of Motion!https://www.blogger.com/profile/05267890777114034658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-65238796889514282272016-01-16T16:34:40.192-05:002016-01-16T16:34:40.192-05:00I thank everyone for their comments over the past ...I thank everyone for their comments over the past few months. I am listening and learning from this discussion. <br />sophie blackallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948122381079358521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-51793763307608159312016-01-16T16:26:38.650-05:002016-01-16T16:26:38.650-05:00The thing about text (instead of face to face conv...The thing about text (instead of face to face conversations) is that it's easy to read what you want into what other people write. <br /><br />So, actually, I asked a direct question. I'm genuinely intrigued by HOW one would cover a subject like this for such a young audience. <br /><br />Any suggestions on what images and plot points/words she could have used in the context of making a pie, if one were a slave in that time period? <br /><br />Or maybe any time period, or any race - for example, there were a great many indentured slaves of European descent in the same time period. If I recall my "black history in film and literature" course correctly, I'm pretty sure the concept of slavery (with all its brutality) did not start in Africa. Nor has it ended there, unfortunately. <br /><br />An interesting spin for that section of Sophie's book could have been to instead use the invisible, low-paid (maybe even underaged) workers in Asia making our Nike shoes as her subject.girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-11058785062263070872016-01-16T15:14:02.312-05:002016-01-16T15:14:02.312-05:00A bit of advice Girlgonewild. Stop tone policing ...A bit of advice Girlgonewild. Stop tone policing and start listening to what several people are saying on here. Ms. Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105660701281698225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-90621727958384561592016-01-16T14:52:26.099-05:002016-01-16T14:52:26.099-05:00I am continually struck by white unwillingness to ...I am continually struck by white unwillingness to listen, and to respect the perspectives of Black people and their allies. Open up, folks, and acknowledge that the author and illustrator of this book and so many others, assumed they could write about an experience completely alien to their heritage, while apparently isolated from any authentic Black feedback during the creative process. And now, when being challenged, the illustrator wants credit for her beautiful artwork, despite the scenario she was illustrating - as if that is removed from the content of the story. And several white people immediately comply with compliments. Brave Black people continue to extend themselves in educating privileged folks about the imbalance of power, but defensiveness and need to be right insulated privileged people from learning and growing and contributing to much needed change in this society. This thread feels to me like so many microcosms of missed opportunities for real dialogue because of unwillingness of white people to open up to reality. And white people don't seem to recognize that unwillingness to open up is a strong signal of privilege. White people can move on and ignore how hard they are stomping on people who do not have that insulating privilege. Here's a good chance to listen and learn.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016312481646620079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-13861745956658302712016-01-16T12:43:19.569-05:002016-01-16T12:43:19.569-05:00I don't know how I would approach this either....I don't know how I would approach this either...I mean how do you write a book about diversity using the event of making a pie but still show rape/murder/brutality - and for 5 year olds? <br /><br />How could this have been done differently? Literally what images and words would have been more truthful while remaining age appropriate? In curious.girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-58029592931384638572016-01-16T06:34:07.091-05:002016-01-16T06:34:07.091-05:00Sophie the story is told about the enslaved mother...Sophie the story is told about the enslaved mother and daughter from a position of white privilege. It glosses over & ignores the horrific conditions that enslaved African people went through, even from the start of their part of the story where they are picking berries their situation as enslaved people is glossed over - the reference to it being a plantation could have been followed by what that meant - that they were stolen or their families were, forced into enslavement, abused, tortured, that they were not paid to work but made to, yes everybody is entitled to & has moments of joy, but enslaved people had / have many moments of pain, sadness, anger - so why was a decision made to only show joy? There is no context to their story, no narrative on the brutal reality they faced - possible separation, rape, beatings, sub standard - and that's putting it lightly working conditions. Who was consulted from the African diaspora - the descendents of enslaved African people? As it is our histories are written out of the school curriculums and the history books - to mask the crimes of humanity we encountered , it is lacking in compassion and responsibility to trivialize these events, racism is deepening globally - the fact that's it's 2016 and we have to hold up signs bearing the words bLack Lives Matters should tell you something. We are still living with the legacy of enslavement treated as second & third class citizens , the far right is increasing - children learn racist views, the argument that this is for young children so it can't be truthful about that period doesn't hold up, it is essential that it is truthful & that children are taught from a young age about such events & educated about the horrors of racism & crimes against humanity - if a section of the book was set during the holocaust would you dare to gloss over & trivialize that? What you fail to recognise in presenting your defence is the real pain & hurt this has caused plus damage - it is saying that our lives & experiences don't matter, were not that bad and it's just a period in history. It's a dangerous way of perceiving our pain and the impact to this very day of those historical events. When I shared details of this book on so ill networking , people did not believe it,they thought it was a wicked joke being played, I had to convince them that it is a real book and actually published by a major publishing house. Was there consultation, was there an equality impact assessment carried out? Who authorised the publication of this book because there ought to have been checks and consultation? Zita Holbourne, Poet~Artist~Activisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18362485768300723436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-17028539401607476632016-01-15T23:59:12.814-05:002016-01-15T23:59:12.814-05:00The dialogue you are carrying on, however, is not ...The dialogue you are carrying on, however, is not open. Words like 'refusal' and phrases like 'waste my time with you' are unfortunately part of the problem. I really do wish you were open to having a good dialogue about it. You are emoting too much for that. <br /><br />If you want to get down to brass tacks and dig into it, ie, produce a more positive result, then I'm sure this thread will be here for you whenever you come around to that point.<br /><br />Best of luck.girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-61347528560569782332016-01-15T20:00:35.956-05:002016-01-15T20:00:35.956-05:00There are a host of resources out there, but I am ...There are a host of resources out there, but I am not going to do the work for you. I honestly don't think you are as open to learning as you say, so I am not really going to waste my time with you. If you are that interested, you will do the work yourself. Don't confuse anger with my refusal to pander to your feelings.Ms. Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105660701281698225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-7703026872237659162016-01-15T19:44:50.542-05:002016-01-15T19:44:50.542-05:00As a parent and an educator, I would love to know ...As a parent and an educator, I would love to know what teacher wants to use this book so that I can call the school and ensure it will not be done. This books is nowhere near okay. It is making slavery seem as if there was something good about it. I find it ridiculous and more than that, offensive. It is of no surprise to me that the white people on here think this is appropriate. I am assuming because they don't want their children to know how bad it really was and how privileged white people were and to every extent, still are in our society. It is sick and depraved. While you may have meant well, I will let you know, at the age of five, my daughter knew the truth about slavery. She knew the truth about the civil rights movement and the truth about Columbus. Why? Because I don't lie to my children. Age appropriate? Sense when is lying age appropriate? Introducing slavery? Hmmm how about having a real dialogue with them and explaining what happened? Worked for me and you would be amazed at how much they understand. This I'd the reason many problems still exist. You always have some trying to sugar coat and white wash our history while the others still suffer from it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13735338803877611077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-65954748772003762262016-01-15T17:54:16.701-05:002016-01-15T17:54:16.701-05:00It's quite easy to read condescension into tex...It's quite easy to read condescension into text - as far as my "talking" I do believe my comments are far shorter than yours. And when given the choice of responding to anger such as yours, I often choose humor over escalation via even more anger. Be well.<br /><br />And DO illuminate us as to which books you are referring to. I'm always open to being educated.girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-90128499765677608002016-01-15T17:30:29.060-05:002016-01-15T17:30:29.060-05:00Girlgonewild: Please don't get cute with me....Girlgonewild: Please don't get cute with me...or condescending for that matter. You have nothing of importance to contribute to my comment, so I suggest YOU do more evaluating of your whiteness, making assumptions and putting words into my mouth, and less talking. Also, I don't know what would make you the authority on how to present issues of slavery, but it isn't reframing and repackaging it to be a warm and fuzzy depiction. If you had exposure to children's books, written by African-Americans authors who address slavery, then you wouldn't be asking me how it should be done in an appropriate way.Ms. Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105660701281698225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-79770945014107775532016-01-15T11:34:42.166-05:002016-01-15T11:34:42.166-05:00Ms Watson, I do believe reframing is one step in r...Ms Watson, I do believe reframing is one step in revising history. It's elemental, my dear Watson...erasing slavery is more damaging than depicting it. Would you show slaves being beaten for stealing the pie to this age group? You are full of critique but I notice no suggestions for improvement. It is after all difficult for most people to place themselves in others shoes, let alone forget that there's an "other".girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-50064529617792909022016-01-14T23:56:42.901-05:002016-01-14T23:56:42.901-05:00I find your lengthy defense of your critics even m...I find your lengthy defense of your critics even more troubling and doesn't do much to demonstrate that you thought about your version/perception/ideations of slavery from the perspective and experiences of those who are the descendants of slaves in our country. As white people, to center our voice this tragic history is wrong, inaccurate, and dangerous. I am really disappointed that your response didn't show any more care and concern than when you put the pen to paper in the creation of this book. <br /><br />As an educator, I am making every attempt to make sure that we don't participate in the careless perpetuation of a revisionist history by allowing this book into our classrooms. We can and should do better than this. And when we mess up, we need to apologize and fix it, not make lengthly defenses and/or attempt to educate those who already know and are apart of the history we are trying to reframe.<br />Ms. Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105660701281698225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-12618950422734140702016-01-13T17:27:40.408-05:002016-01-13T17:27:40.408-05:00Well, that certainly was an interesting 10 mins of...Well, that certainly was an interesting 10 mins of reading comments! As a non-indigenous person from Australia, I'm not qualified to voice any opinion on how it must feel for indigenous people (or African Americans) who have suffered under white rule. And still suffer injustice - indigenous people here in Australia cope with this every day of their lives.<br /><br />But, I have the right to comment as a person with intelligent thought, as your commentators do. Not all stories are 'black and white' (not pun intended). The most powerful stories can be about the simple truths of how people cope in bad, tragic circumstances. And if you know human nature, you would understand how mothers (or parents) find ways to lift the hearts and souls of their children, in small ways just to give a little hope, a small smile to the people they love most, even under the most terrible of circumstances. That is what humans do.<br /><br />And that is what this book depicts.Sheryl Gwytherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03660201098245632077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-88099491330495702182015-11-19T13:44:06.725-05:002015-11-19T13:44:06.725-05:00There is no such thing as a benign Holocaust. Ther...There is no such thing as a benign Holocaust. There is no such thing as happy enslavement. There is no such thing as joyful stolen labor. <br /><br />And yet you manage to communicate all of those irresponsible, reckless and bigoted fictions as you attempt to tell the story of American enslavement to children.<br /><br />Many have commented on the impact of these self indulgent lies about enslavement on African American children. In the wake of the racist killings in Charleston, there is a more pressing need to have a conversation about the impact of these imagery lies on white kids and white grown ups. <br /><br />You and your images continue to articulate a convenient untruth about American enslavement...that despite how bad enslavement was, something positive can/did come out of it. As your illustrations and you suggest, "An enslaved family was able to pass on this fine recipe, be OK with providing stolen labor and figure out a way to happily lick up the crumbs of those who rape, steal, and despise them." <br /><br />This is kinda like saying yes, the Hitler Holocaust was bad, but at least Anne Frank was able to write a book about it. That notion is almost too awful to even say out loud. And yet your illustrations about American Enslavement make that argument. <br /><br />You as a white person in America need to be brave and absorb the understanding that EVERYTHING about the Enslavement Holocaust was awful, horrible and a crime against humanity. And it is wrong to lie and frame the story about Enslavement from the perspective of those who were enslaved, in any other way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03715981541553603911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-18037298458113589732015-11-07T08:52:57.414-05:002015-11-07T08:52:57.414-05:00They failed to mention the end of the book where t...They failed to mention the end of the book where the last family is biracial. I thought that was the point where you saw progress. It's about progress and the last scene is mixed races sharing a meal and no one is hiding in the closet.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428316961374479521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-45874242702366860232015-11-06T22:15:35.932-05:002015-11-06T22:15:35.932-05:00As an educator, teacher and parent, I'm truly ...As an educator, teacher and parent, I'm truly sad and disappointed things like this keeps happening. Worse, white authors and illustrators are simply given a pass by their racism by simply saying sorry. Why not just just pulled the book off the shelf completely and give the money to Title 1 schools to either buy books for their library or pay for more staff. This author apparently have lived a life far removed from people of color or worse believed that slaves were happy. The problem unfortunately is not just the author and illustrator but the publisher who didn't review this book well. The reason for their failure is sadly is probably similar to the author and illustrator...living in a white world where people of color are in the shadows and not given an opportunity to work in the "white world" of publishing or anywhere that doesn't follow their narrative beyond the "happy slave." Not surprising that the author and illustrator are two white women....depicting black women this way.Disappointedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08840432150294369659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-29001104529079117632015-11-06T13:46:35.318-05:002015-11-06T13:46:35.318-05:00I loved this book when I first saw it and I love i...I loved this book when I first saw it and I love it still, maybe more in spite of the criticism which I think if largely off base. Keep up the good work Ms. Blackall!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-523851644145317765.post-79272417698580508982015-11-06T12:41:04.436-05:002015-11-06T12:41:04.436-05:00Sophie, clearly you thought a great deal about eac...Sophie, clearly you thought a great deal about each illustration and I think that shows. I don't believe it's racist at all. In fact, I think it's a great catalyst for a parent and child to talk about slavery. One of the effects of books is to make us think and to give us opportunities for talking about important issues, including children's books. I think you are correct that depicting the horrors of actual slavery is not appropriate for children of this age, developmentally and psychologically. I appreciated what you said about "oppressed people throughout history have found solace and even joy in small moments." What a great message for children. It's something to unpack with a child, about resiliency and could be extended to talks even about bullying and ethics in general.girlgonewildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05670705044429142530noreply@blogger.com