29. Good Vibes: What makes you smile? What makes you happy?
https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
You all know I’m a knitter. I’ve written about the joys of being a process knitter, and how much pleasure knitting brings me.
Right now, in these times of isolation, stress and turmoil, I’ve turned to knitting more than ever.
Reading to Escape
Reading is also one of my favorite activities. Mostly I read novels, but I also enjoy biographies and histories.
For me, reading is a way to escape. I’ve read challenging books, books that take me out of my comfort zone.
But, especially now, I’m reaching for more escapist literature, or comfort reading. Jane Austen, Alexander McCall Smith, lighter fiction, mystery novels…
Time for a New Reading List?
As the country seems to be coming apart around us, we’re all feeling anxious, stressed, angry and frightened. I feel helpless and powerless to make change.
Now is the time to take one of those activities that makes me happy (reading) and use it to become more informed.
Many people have published lists of recommended reading to learn about racism, white privilege, and how to become an ally. What has struck me, however, have been the lists of books for children.
Reading With the Kids
Reading is also one of our boys’ favorite activities, and seeing them read is one of my greatest sources of joy. Author Christine Taylor-Butler tweeted earlier this month that for every one book about racism you read to a child, please “provide 20 joyful books.”
But not just any joyful books. Books in which children of color are featured as the main characters, doing the same things that white children do, because all children do them.
One book like this that I grew up with was The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Another that we recently listened to on the Julie’s Library podcast was Tía Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina and illustrated by Claudio Munoz.
Some Resources
Here’s an article from the New York Times that lists some great books for kids—not just books on racism, but also books in which children of color are the protagonists.
On the Julie’s Library website there is also a link to a list of books to read to kids to help support conversations about race, racism and resistance.
Learning Together
While I delve into a new and challenging reading list, I can introduce more diverse literature to my children and help them grow into anti-racists.
We can learn together as a family. That makes me feel empowered.
That, and donating to organizations I believe in.
