Books should be both windows and mirrors, author and education researcher Rudine Sims Bishop once wrote—they should expose readers to new worlds and perspectives while also reflecting their own experiences
Banning these books undermines the efforts towards equity for black authors, as It limits their market reach.
For years, educators have pushed for more diverse books in classrooms and school libraries, emphasizing the importance of children of color seeing themselves reflected in the pages.
Educators and parents who value diversity should stand up to these bans. Publicly supporting these books promotes the importance of diverse literature.
In recent months, these books and others have been challenged by parents and community members under the guise that they’re promoting critical race theory, an academic framework that says racism is a systemic, societal problem.
Challenges to these books can negatively impact sales mostly in regions where these books are being complained about by parents. Its important to keep an eye on these trends and make a plan to keep these titles profitable.