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Dear John,

It’s Black August: the annual commemoration of the Black revolutionaries
and freedom fighters who risked life and limb to advance the Black
liberation movement.^1 It’s a time to remember the rich legacies of Black
activists like Nat Turner, Marcus Garvey, Assata Shakur, and Jonathan and
George Jackson. A time to reflect on the lessons learned from historic
uprisings, and rededicate ourselves to the ongoing struggle against
anti-Black racism and the oppressive systems of power that corrode this
country.

But, John, Black stories are under attack. Right-wing
conservatives believe that critical race theory (CRT)—an academic
framework exploring racism’s role in shaping this country and its
policies—should not be taught in schools. They are targeting our children
and educators. To date, eight states have passed anti-CRT bills, and
nearly 20 have introduced legislation that seeks to erase our history
—Black history —from the curriculum and fire teachers who don’t conform.^2

At Color Of Change, we resist the harmful denial of truth and demand that
schools teach real history. We believe that Black children should not only
feel represented by the books they read, but should also be empowered with
the truth about our fight for Black liberation—historic and ongoing.
That’s why we’re raising money to purchase 500 books for Black children in
states where CRT has been banned. [ [link removed] ]John, will you join us in
protecting our children’s right to learn about Black history?

[ [link removed] ]YES, I BELIEVE THAT BLACK CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT BLACK HISTORY!
We are proud to partner with Alkebu-Lan Images bookstore to ensure that
students in the Nashville community receive books affirming Black history
and Black brilliance. Alkebu-Lan Images is the only Black-owned community
bookstore in Nashville and is known for its vast collection of books by
Black authors teaching Black history. And, John, without
Alkebu-Lan Images bookstore, many children wouldn’t otherwise have access
to stories that authentically capture the lived experiences of Black
people. Less than 13% of all children’s books feature a Black protagonist;
and of those works written about Black people, just 29% were actually
created by Black authors or illustrators.^3

That’s why it is so important to ensure that Black children have access to
truth that is already being denied in Tennessee schools. Each book in this
initiative costs approximately $5, so your donation will go directly to a
Black child in the Nashville community. [ [link removed] ]John, our children
deserve to be taught real history; that includes our voices.

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $25 to buy 5 books for Black children

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $50 to buy 10 books for Black children

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $75 to buy 15 books for Black children

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $100 to by 20 books for Black children

In the spirit of the African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a
child.” As the right wing remains intent on taking our children backwards
and killing what Black August is all about, we must be intentional about
how we nurture and support Black children. [ [link removed] ]Join Color Of Change in
gifting children’s books that affirm, uplift, and celebrate Black history
and culture.

Until justice is real,

— The Color Of Change team

 

References:

 1. Dan Berger, “From Freedom Summer to Black August,” Dissent Magazine,
August 19, 2014,
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 2. Rashawn Ray and Alexandra Gibbons, “Why are states banning critical
race theory?” The Brookings Institute, July 2021,
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 3. Jamie Herndon, “Report: 2019 Diversity in Children’s and YA
Literature,” Book Riot, June 26, 2020,
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