[LM_NET] The "POC Challenge" [POC=People of color]

[Debbie Reese <debreese@ILLINOIS.EDU>]

Good morning,

On the Internet, there's been a lot of discussion 
recently over book covers and books about people 
of color. There's several develops of note, all 
worth thinking about. There's "Readers Against 
WhiteWashing" and there's the "POC Challenge."

The latter is a challenge to read books about 
people of color. With its "challenge" framework, 
there's levels (how many books a participant 
challenges him or herself to read) and there will be prizes.

The intent, of course, is good. Everyone should 
be reading books about people of color. They 
aren't "just for" people of color. I'd much 
prefer a commitment over a challenge. The idea 
with the challenge is that once people dive into 
books about people of color, they'll be so moved 
by the stories, that they will seek them out as a matter of course.

On Thursday, I posted my initial thoughts about 
the POC Challenge, and today, I've followed up on 
it. I'm directing you to these posts because 
you're librarians, and many of you may be 
participating in the POC Challenge. Here they are:

About the "POC Challenge"
http://tinyurl.com/POC-Challenge-1

Second post: The POC Challenge
http://tinyurl.com/POC-Challenge-2

I agree with the intent. It is what my work is 
all about. Increasing the visibility and 
availability of books about American Indians. But 
I'm definitely critical of WHAT books I think 
merit visibility. Just how does anyone decide 
what is good, and what is not good?

Debbie


Visit my Internet resource:
American Indians in Children's Literature
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net

Debbie A. Reese (Nambé O'-ween-ge')
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native American House, Room 2005
1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese@illinois.edu
TEL 217-265-9885
FAX 217-265-9880







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