Representation Matters
2/7/2018 6:27 pm
Black History Hero of the Day
Keep an eye out for our featured Black/African American Hero of the Day! Today, we are featuring Madam CJ Walker, one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire by creating specialized hair products. Please feel free to share others by sending information to diversityinclustionpta@gmail.com, and we’ll be sure to add them to the rotation!
Representation Matters
As a parent of two multi-racial children (half Korean and half white (Scots-Irish-German)), I struggle to find protagonists of television, film, and books that look like my boys. Two current examples come to mind: the brothers in Big Hero 6 and the sisters in Andi Mack, both produced by Disney. It is easier to find more diverse representation within children’s and young adult literature. I am sure I am overlooking and am always open to hearing about other options. Why does seeing ourselves reflected in media, specifically positively portrayed, matter? Media representation helps broaden our horizons, introduces us to people and experiences outside of our own, and redefines what is normal, acceptable, and admired. This week, I challenge you to think of a specific race/culture or combination of races/cultures and, without browsing the web, think of FIVE mainstream media examples of when that race/culture was a positively portrayed protagonist. And, if you are interested in learning more or thinking more about the topic, please check out the following links:
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Who Gets to Be the Hero? By Embrace Race blogger Taliah Mirmalek
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Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and the Power of Representation by Alan Jenkins, Ebony, July 15, 2018
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Martins and Harrison; Racial and Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Children’s Television Use and Self-Esteem: A Longitudinal Panel Study; Communications Research, March 16, 2011.
By Lisa Harper Chang (mother to 2nd grade and Montessori explorers)
Please keep the conversation going with us by emailing diversityinclusionpta@gmail.com.
Lunar New Year
For millions of people in Asia and around the world, the Lunar New Year celebrations begin next Friday, February 16, 2018. Depending on the country, these celebrations can last anywhere from three days to two weeks and are family-centered celebrations filled with honoring ancestors and deities, firecrackers, gift-giving (red envelopes!), and an abundance of delicious food. To read more about the Lunar New Year with your explorer, check out the following titles:
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This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong and Yangsook Choi
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When the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
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Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! By Demi
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Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
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Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book by Joan Holub
Upcoming Events
- Friday, April 19
- Monday, April 22