18 Aug Why Diversity Really Doesn’t Matter In Children’s Literature
Callaloo author Marjuan Canady wrote an op-ed for Blavity online magazine addressing the topic of diversity vs. equity in the children’s publishing industry titled “Why Diversity Really Doesn’t Matter In Children’s Literature”.
Here’s an excerpt:
One may argue that European storytelling and aesthetics in America were valued long before Walt Disney came along. We must ask ourselves as a society, how are we processing the international, economic and industry-riveting success of “Black Panther”? The reaction made it clear — we, as black and brown people, are starving to see our authentic selves in the media, created by people that look like us and in a way that feels true to first-hand experiences.
In less than six years, my Callaloo company has been recognized by notable institutions such as the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian and Sesame Street, distributed in international bookstores and libraries with complete independence. So why hasn’t the larger publishing industry caught on to this movement that celebrates the stories, culture, and values of the African Diaspora? In my experience, it’s been an issue of power and hesitance to create space for non-white and unfamiliar voices…