We celebrate Black history all year ’round, but February is the opportune time to teach the youth about our Black heroes with these educational and entertaining children’s books
By Keyaira Boone
Black America Web
https://blackamericaweb.com/
- Mainstream media often depicts Blackness in stereotypical ways, but children need to see the joy in the mundane.
- Parents, guardians, and mentors should actively seek out books that represent Black children in all aspects of life.
- Celebrating Black history and culture should not be limited to one month, but integrated throughout the year.
Education starts at home for many Black children. In a climate where their history is increasingly obscured, misinterpreted, and diminished, it is more crucial than ever that they be exposed to Black excellence, resilience, and mundanity.
Black History Month presents a unique opportunity to teach the beauty and power of Blackness to the children in your life. But it should not be where their education ends.
Mainstream Doesn’t Always Mean Us
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Everyday is an opportunity for representation. Mainstream media often depicts Blackness in stereotypical extremes. But there are everyday moments steeped in Blackness that children need to see to become.
Authors are using trips to the dentists, bus rides, chess games, barbershop debates, and more to introduce the joy in the mundane. The children who will carry on our traditions and further our culture can learn from their words.
Black children deserve to see themselves in every aspect of life. Parents, godparents, uncles, and aunties should be working to make that happen because cultural osmosis is not always inclusive.
See the following children’s books to educate the littles in your life with this month – and all year-round.
