#StepUpScholastic Twitter Chat
On February 29, Leslie Mac of Ferguson Response Network hosted a twitter chat on the #StepUpScholastic campaign.
There was a rich and lively exchange among educators, parents, authors, and other activists as they weighed in on a series of questions about the campaign. Questions ranged from “why target Scholastic” to “what person(s) or moment(s) from your history or culture do you want to see in a Scholastic flyer?”
Below are some highlights from the one hour chat. You can read the entire chat on storify.
Q1: Why do you think quality representation of People of Color in Children’s Literature is important?
As readers we identify with what and who we read about. It keeps us inspired and motivated. #StepUpScholastic
— Adrianne Pardue (@Adiethomasava) March 1, 2016
Exposing white children to accurate depictions of PoC can lead to adults that see PoC as fully formed 3 dimensional ppl #StepUpScholastic
— #StepUpScholastic (@LeslieMac) March 1, 2016
quality representation of poc in #kidlit is important because it acknowledges & affirms humanity of children of color #StepUpScholastic
— Ruben Brosbe (@blogsbe) March 1, 2016
inaccurate books can be toxic for kids—we owe them culturally diverse AND authentic representations in literature. #stepupscholastic
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) March 1, 2016
Q2: When and how did you become aware of the lack of representation of People of Color in children’s literature?
teaching in a classroom of racially diverse students pushed me to find diverse books. Problem is there aren’t many! #StepUpScholastic
— Emily Kilgore (@EmilySkeie) March 1, 2016
As a kid, because of so few stories about people like me. Even when included, very minor. #StepUpScholastichttps://t.co/HUsPhlfLao
— Ani J. Sharmin (@AniSharmin) March 1, 2016
Q3: How would you define quality representation for People of Color in children’s literature?
quality representation=culturally specific, culturally accurate books that honor a variety of storytelling traditions #stepupscholastic
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) March 1, 2016
I hope that someday that on the Club Leo (Spanish) book club, there would be more than 1 Latin@ author. #StepUpScholastic
— Stephanie DeFrance (@MsDeFrance) March 1, 2016
Q4: Why is this issue about more than just the QUANTITY of books centered on People of Color? #StepUpScholastic
quantity gives us stereotypes and tropes. Too much historical fiction, not enough books that kids can enjoy for story #StepUpScholastic
— Ruben Brosbe (@blogsbe) March 1, 2016
Quantity vs. quality issue evident in recent #SlaveryWithASmile books. Authenticity matters. #StepUpScholastichttps://t.co/m0Fh2xOSFn
— Ebony Elizabeth (@Ebonyteach) March 1, 2016
Q5: Why do you think Scholastic is a good target for those looking to address this issue?
@Scholastic reaches into kids’ homes. We don’t want toxic water in our homes, and we don’t want toxic books. Clean up! #stepupscholastic
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) March 1, 2016
@LeslieMac b/c @Scholastic fairs are the only physical #book #retailer left in many places with underserved populations. #stepupscholastic
— The Haunted Bookshop (@BookshopGhost) March 1, 2016
Growing up in a rural community, those book fairs show you what THE ENTIRE KNOWN WORLD contains. Show the truth pls. #stepupscholastic
— Emily Foster (@FosterOfTheWeek) March 1, 2016
Scholastic reaches almost every reader in the country with inexpensive books. They need to show ALL readers matter. #StepUpScholastic
— Emily Kilgore (@EmilySkeie) March 1, 2016
Q6: What person(s) or moment(s) in your history or culture do you want to see in a Scholastic flyer?
I’d like a moratorium on Civil Rights books about Rosa and Martin. More books about Black Power, Ida B Wells, Malcolm X #stepupscholastic
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) March 1, 2016
Re the Pueblo Revolt, my guess is most ppl don’t know one thing about it! Kidlit can fill gaps like that. #StepUpScholastic
— Debbie Reese (@debreese) March 1, 2016
Toussaint L’ouverture! Freedom fighter extraordinaire!
(Haiti doesn’t get written about enough)#StepUpScholastic https://t.co/F8vR8eB391— Kasey Henton (@rainekasey) March 4, 2016
Q6 We need books about CRM after ’65; in the North; links to anti-war movement and labor; and about grassroots organizers. #StepUpScholastic
— Zinn Ed Project (@ZinnEdProject) March 1, 2016
Q6: I’d love to see books about black congressmen & their communities during Reconstruction #StepUpScholastic
— Shanna Miles (@srmilesauthor) March 1, 2016
I would like to see a Jewish person who’s not celebrating Hanukkah. #StepUpScholastic
— Ruben Brosbe (@blogsbe) March 1, 2016
If you r not getting “submissions” for poc written/illust stories, try new strategies for seeking talent #stepupscholastic theyre out there
— Robert Liu-Trujillo (@RobertTres) March 1, 2016
@LeslieMac @Scholastic is in 13 countries but US titles get sent to Scholastic book clubs abroad not other way. Why not? #StepUpScholastic
— Nandini Bajpai (@nandinibajpai) March 1, 2016
Q7: What do you think Scholastic does too much of, in the flyers you see?
too many kits and gadgets. Kids get games and stimulation everywhere, so flyers should stick to literature. #StepUpScholastic
— Emily Kilgore (@EmilySkeie) March 1, 2016
way too many cartoon characters instead of real children or role models #StepUpScholastic https://t.co/G5KleWwRtR
— Barbara Kelley (@bgkelley411) March 1, 2016
Q8: Tell us the name of a book that is out of print that you’d like to see in the Scholastic flyers.
Lerner did an excellent nonfiction series abt Native ppl. It is the We Are Still Here series. #StepUpScholastic
— Debbie Reese (@debreese) March 1, 2016
Here’s a list of wonderful “out of print” books compiled by an early childhood teacher. https://t.co/bYuSoERe7N #StepUpScholastic
— Teaching for Change (@teachingchange) March 1, 2016
Any OOP titles by Virginia Hamilton. Many others. Diverse authors get 1-2 bks, then disappear. #StepUpScholastichttps://t.co/rqBeihAb7W
— Ebony Elizabeth (@Ebonyteach) March 1, 2016
Q9: Tell us about a bad or disappointing experience you/your child has had with a Scholastic book or flyer.
Every flyer laden with “First Thanksgiving” books was/is a bad experience because they misrepresent so much. #StepUpScholastic
— Debbie Reese (@debreese) March 1, 2016
In our book fair flier, out of 2 books w/POC character, one is a dog saving slaves. #StepUpScholastic pic.twitter.com/pxOvpI1VqY
— Stephanie DeFrance (@MsDeFrance) March 1, 2016
#StepUpScholastic — “Why are all the kids who look like me enslaved?” @Scholastic needs to answer these questions… https://t.co/IxNYi2lZ8i
— Atena Educator (@Early_Educatrix) March 1, 2016
Q10: Why is this issue important to discuss representation in children’s literature with students and kids openly?
Kids need transparency about the publishing process so they don’t feel it’s “natural” 4 Whites to always be the hero. #stepupscholastic
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) March 1, 2016
Kids know fair/not fair. Talking w/ them empowers them. Ask them to write letters in #StepUpScholastic campaign. https://t.co/MYVJjpHYJK
— Debbie Reese (@debreese) March 1, 2016
A10 Our kids must be told WHY they don’t see themselves in books they read. w/o context kids assume it’s because their stories don’t matter
— #StepUpScholastic (@LeslieMac) March 1, 2016
“If #kidlit takes upon itself to decolonize the world, it will be the most effective postcolonial project of all…” #StepUpScholastic
— Ebony Elizabeth (@Ebonyteach) March 1, 2016
Thank you for joining us for the #StepUpScholastic Live Chat – there are SO many ways for you to participate in this campaign
— Ferguson Response (@FergusonResp) March 1, 2016
Learn more about how to critique kidlit with regard to race & content via @teachingchange here: https://t.co/hDsQbbNCdT #StepUpScholastic
— #StepUpScholastic (@LeslieMac) March 1, 2016
You can also submit a photo or video statement our #StepUpScholastic tumblr – https://t.co/GAHC4oz3iM
— Ferguson Response (@FergusonResp) March 1, 2016
