“Why do your kids only read books about Black people? Isn’t that just as bad as white kids never reading about other people?” I assume that the mama asking this question on my Heritage Mom Instagram account is a new follower because people who have been following me for a while know how untrue her assumption is.
My kids read books that reflect our culture (mirrors) and they read books about other people (windows). Our shelves are overflowing with books on all sorts of real life people and imaginary characters, including plenty of white people (which is, unfortunately, what I think she may really be wondering about).
My message is not, and has never been, one of exclusivity.
Instead, I have always suggested that we make room on our shelves for many voices. I share other books at times, but I mostly discuss Black books because:
- My home(school) was broken and that’s what my children needed most in order to feel seen in our home.
- I’m Black, and that’s what I know best. I can innately sense authenticity and respectful storytelling of my own culture.
- I never learned Black history myself so I’m fascinated by what I’m learning alongside my children.
- Wonderful Black books are harder to find (particularly chapter books), so I enjoy sharing really good ones. Especially ones that show Black joy.
- The books I share are glaringly missing from most homeschool curricula. I try to share what can’t be as easily found elsewhere.
- I choose to include books featuring real-life white people and fictional characters, but even if my kids only read Black books in our home, nearly every other aspect of their existence beyond what I curate is primarily white so I think they’d still be more than okay. The Black history and stories they get in our home are pretty much all they get, so if you think I’m giving them a lot, I consider that a compliment.
In my mind, we’re all in this together. Each of us contributing to each other’s pot of gold. There should be no expectation that one mama be responsible for being an expert in every area.
When a cook specializes in baking cakes and cookies, no one assumes that she only feeds her children desserts. They eat other meals too, but she finds joy in baking so those are the recipes she shares.
That’s me. I am just a mama sharing what brings me joy and what makes my kiddos come alive. Please celebrate that with me without reading anything more into it. We’re all on the same team!
I agree whole heartedly with your reasoning & the analogy of baking versus cooking is great (not that you should have to explain yourself.). In fact, after I listened to your talk on “Mirrors & Windows” I realized in our home we never really read books on children/persons with ADHD (which is what over half my children are diagnosed with). We have since discussed things more openly as a family, and for that I’m so grateful for your talk. I also know how valuable your voice is to the homeschool community in general and love learning about resources you’ve recommended as one of our windows. Thank you for all you do!
Ditto everything Ms. Rachel just said.
I appreciate your Heritage Blog.
Well, thank you. I love doing this work, and it feels so good to be appreciated.
YES. This is a GREAT example of the need for mirrors! My mom, siblings, niece, and nephews have been diagnosed with ADHD. It can be so stigmatized (or completely unseen/ignored) that books featuring children and adults with ADHD are quite valuable as mirrors…and windows.
Where can the Mirrors/Windows talk be found?
It’s not available anywhere on my website at the moment. It would have to be viewed live at a conference or through purchasing archives of a previously recorded virtual conference like Charlotte Mason Inspired: https://charlottemasoninspired.com/amber-oneal-johnston/. I’ve also devoted a chapter to each (mirrors and windows) in my book, A Place to Belong. The book contains all of the material from the talk along with additional details.
I have been following you for a bit- I found your blog through a google search while contemplating the Charlotte Mason approach and once I did, I knew I was on the right path. I had been hesitant due to the issues you identify regarding one-dimensionality in most homeschool curricula, but hearing how you have forged your path you gave me confidence. Though I am from a different background and can’t personally relate to all your experiences, I’m so grateful you share your experiences and perspective. It so often brings unexpected tears, as this post did, because in affirming yourself, your choices, your heritage, your family, your kids…it affirms something in all of us, regardless of background.
This is so beautiful. When we allow ourselves, we can all be so connected. Not necessarily through exact experiences but in other ways, as you so eloquently described. I’m so glad you made that google search!
This is such a grace filled post. Our family has been so blessed by the books you have suggested. Thank you for your hard work, it is a blessing to many!
I’m sorry that you had to even write this post, but thank you for doing so. You are allowing God to use you in such a beautiful and far- reaching way. Your blog has become a lifeline to our transracial family at the beginning of our home school experience!
I really appreciate your support and kind words. I *almost* ignored the question, but I figure that others are probably silently wondering the same thing, so I figured that I’d go ahead and address it seriously and without judgement. Well…maybe I judged for a few minutes first 🙂
It fills me up to know that you’ve been blessed by them. Thank you for being here and being a supportive voice!
I am so grateful for your efforts in finding and sharing literature that focuses on Black heritage. Our family is transracial and while I am able to easily reach my children some things, I don’t have Black culture to share with them, and I deeply feel that gap. My children will grow up knowing heroes and artists and deep thinkers that come from all sorts of cultures and life-experiences, and it’s because of quality leaders like you. Our family would miss out on so much good without the windows and mirrors you share so generously. Thank you thank you.
*teach*
Thank you for saying this. I definitely felt misunderstood when I received the question that prompted this blog post, and it makes me feel better to know that there are people who “get” what I’m doing here and why it’s important.
When I first came across your blog (through Redeemed Reader), I was giddy and happy to have found a treasure trove. I am a Christ-following, homeschooling mother and being black is also part of my identity. I loved to read growing up and was a Literature major in college. Between the books that were available to me (I’m in my 40s now and there have been lots of changes to picture and children’s books since I was a kid/teen) and the predominantly white environments I grew up in (including church), I had a lot of identity issues because I didn’t feel that I was as-significant as my majority peers. God has graciously dealt with me in regards to my insecurities, and I’m now thankful to be who God made. (In fact, I’ve always loved diversity. I just had a hard time because I felt like my “diversity” didn’t add up. I literally had a white sister-in-law tell me that I’m not black enough!) Anyway, my kids have tons of good books, including my two favorite childhood books, Little Women (which I still love) and Pollyanna. They love Little House on the Prairie and all manner of animal fantasy books. I’ve also made it a point to make sure they have picture books where they can see kids that look like them. We have books that showcase other ethnicities, too. One of my daughters loves Chinese culture. My kids are growing up in a predominantly white church, too, which I have no problem with. I love our church! I do try to make sure they grow up knowing all God’s creation is beautiful, including themselves. They’ve had to endure hurtful comments from people who don’t think that they’re God-made differences are beautiful. Thankfully, my kids are at a good place and accepting of who they are. I make a point to teach my kids to respect people with special needs and disabilities, too. One of my kids’ best friend has a missing limb. Another kid’s good friend has a cleft lip. All that to say, I’m thankful for this blog and the diversity it spotlights. I think most of us want our kids to share God’s love and light with others. Reading a wide array of diverse, good books helps us to step outside of our comfort zone when we have an opportunity to love someone who doesn’t mirror us.
*their
Well said! I also think that many of us do want exactly that. Unfortunately, my writing has also brought to light the many who do not, but I try my best to focus on those who do. There are so many opportunities for all of us to come together while affirming our individual and collective children, and I’m so very thankful for that.