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Mirrors and Windows: An Exclusive Guest Post From Colin Kaepernick, Author of I Color Myself Different
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Colin Kaepernick already has several distinct chapters of his life written. This next one, as a children’s book author and publisher, could be his most impactful. Inspired by his childhood in a mixed race household, mixed race school and mixed race world, Colin tells the story of what happens when a brown child is asked to draw a picture of himself and his family — which is white. Great for fans of I Promise, Sulwe, and All Because You Matter. Here, Colin Kaepernick reminds us of the importance of diverse picture books so that all kids can see themselves represented in books.
For all kids, books can be both a mirror and a window–a mirror to reflect and affirm their dignity, and a window to expand the horizon of the possible. As adults, we have the responsibility to tell and highlight stories that can anchor and buoy young people in their complex journeys through life–that can inspire them to stand firmly in the truth of who they are and who they wish to become.
For Black and Brown youth living in an anti-Black world, these complexities take on a different dimension and urgency. For Black and Brown youth, literature has the unique power to imagine and create a freedom and beauty not yet achieved in our own time.
Some of my current favorite children’s picture books speak directly to these youth, with a strong and clear message that they matter and that they have the ability to embrace their power:
· All Because You Matter by Tami Charles (author) and Bryan Collier (illustrator)
· Hair Love by Matthew Cherry (author) and Vashti Harrison (illustrator)
· The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson (author) and Rafael Lopez (illustrator)
· Wutaryoo by Nilah Magruder (author/illustrator)
· Nigel and the Moon from Antwan Eady (author) and Gracey Zhang (illustrator), translated by Erika Meza
Though there’s an ever-expanding list of other titles featuring empowered and racially diverse characters, we still have much work to do.
According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center, children’s books written about Black, Indigenous and People of Color accounted for less than 30% of all children’s books published in 2021 even though children of color now account for greater than 50% of young people in the United States.
Overcoming this problem will take our collective commitment. My hope is that my new children’s picture book, I Color Myself Different, with illustrations by Eric Wilkerson, can serve as one modest contribution to the growing chorus of authors and illustrators doing important work in this area.
For Black and Brown kids to see themselves reflected in stories at a young age is to plant a seed whose future harvest can empower generation upon generation to love themselves, know their inherent worth, realize their strength, and use their power to change their communities…and ultimately the world. I want Black and Brown youth to know that it’s not always easy to stand up and be who they are, but little by little and person by person, our collective voices and stories will change the world into a more equitable and just place.