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We pay lip service to how much we want diversity in YA literature but when the growing pains of change kick in, we immediately revert to calling any progress towards diverse voices an attack on whiteness & that’s just not the case. 
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If you can imagine how a young, white person might feel about having slightly less books that rep them, (but honestly, still a whole lot) why is it so hard to put yourself in the shoes of a marginalized child who has RARELY seen themselves reflected in the media they consume?
This is a legitimate question. Do our children’s experiences not matter? Our kid’s feelings?
And this must be said: black and brown families have been having difficult conversations about race with our children for generations. Do white parents not do the same? If not, this dialogue is long overdue.
Yes, it will be uncomfortable. Yes, your kids will have Qs you might not know how to answer. But it’s necessary! There needs to be work done within white families to explain history & unpack why more representation for others feels like an attack on whiteness. B/c again—IT’S NOT!
So much of the burden of educating people on their ignorance regarding things like race have fallen on POC but I am challenging white people to help lessen this load because WE’RE EXHAUSTED.
If you’re tired of reading about these kooky diverse authors and their calls for representation, imagine what it must feel like to live through this? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥴" title="Woozy face" aria-label="Emoji: Woozy face">
Final thought—Marginalized folks have been reading books with white/cis/hetero MCs for years & have still been able to find joy in these stories. Is it too much to think that the same thing can happen if you read a book from a background that you don’t necessarily identify with?
Be safe and be well everyone. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">
