This topic is one that I have not thought about prior to taking the course that I am this semester. Before reading this story, I feel that I have gained a deep sense of empathy -- holding a particularly wide space in my heart and my head for marginalized people groups.
The books I have most recently read include a novel, The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson and a children's book, Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP.
In the story, Something Happened in Our Town, the authors of the story read aloud each page, taking turns throughout the story. The story is set in a city where a recent death of a Black man has occurred at the hands of a police officer. The main characters are a young white girl, Emma, and a young Black boy, Josh. Each of these children has questions about the recent event that has taken place in their town. The beginning of the story included a sentence that stuck out to me, claiming that the adults in the town assumed the children were unaware of what was going on.
Each of the children has an older sibling that is more aware of their surroundings and the media. The older siblings make bold claims about the events and the parents swoop in to do the best they can at making the information more understandable for the younger children. What sticks out to me about the parents' attempts at explaining the events is that they really are doing their best at making this event understandable for their young children. I appreciate that this story so intently focuses on the children's perspectives of the events and then transitions into these children taking action at school -- the beginning of taking a stance with activism on social justice issues; small acts of kindness.
The authors of this story ensure cultural authenticity. Each of the three women are psychologists who works with children and their families. Their understanding of children, what they need from adults, and how they comprehend stories has helped them to create this picture book. They also have worked in areas of community advocacy and social justice that molded this story into the work that it is.
In addition to reading Something Happened in Our Town, I read (or listened to rather) The Parker Inheritance. This book has received numerous rewards including the 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Books award, the 2019 Odyssey Audiobook Honor, 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book (Fiction and Poetry), and so many more. In this story, a young girl and boy meet in the city of "Lambert, SC" where not only an intimate mystery awaits, but so does incredible history.
The two friends, Candace and Brandon enjoy a summer full of research on the history of the town, the people, and Candace's grandmother. Throughout the story specific chapters are devoted to presenting the historical fictional events that take place throughout, referencing racial divide, Jim Crow era relationships, secretive romances, and dangerously brutal fights. This novel takes the reader back in time into the deep south, dripping with bone-chilling historical racial injustices. There are also notes of other social justice issues throughout this book including the discussion of LGBTQ+ rights and treatment, bullying, and even instances where older generations are met with challenge from younger generations over traditional ways of treating those who are different from you.
While this book may not be based on a true story, there are plenty of true events and real individuals who have inspired Johnson to weave this story together. Including his own story and personal encounters with police officers as a Black man. Johnson has poured much of his time into researching for this book. In the author's note, Johnson has made note of the extensive list of individuals, sport's games, and heinous Jim Crow events (such as lynchings) who/that have inspired his story. Johnson also mentions that the classic book The Westing Game was a big source of inspiration for this book as well. The immense amount of research and factual information that went into the background for creating this book attributes to the accuracy and authenticity within the limits of its fictional title. The verbal sensitivity within and throughout this book is shocking to me. Johnson truly embodies the trait of empathy throughout his writing of this story. Candace learns how to speak to others when she is upset, she finds her voice and learns to stick up for those who cannot fight for themselves, and she even respectfully addresses older generations -- calling them out when they are wrong and hurtful to others while never getting ugly or being unkind. I am thankful to have had this book read to me and had the opportunity to imagine the world that is The Parker Inheritance.
(Johnson and his twin brother; image retrieved from http://varianjohnson.com/books/the-parker-inheritance/story-behind-parker-inheritance/)
Special Shoutout
The dialogue in this story was truly wonderful to listen to in its audiobook format! A big thank you and round of applause to Cherise Boothe who did an amazing job with reading each part and each character while also painting such vivid imagery with her voice. Check out more stories read by her here!
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