CCBC-Net Archives
Re: Multicultural Literature, continued
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From: Jason Low <jlow_at_leeandlow.com>
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:08:32 -0500
Hi everyone,
GREAT discussion. From LEE & LOW’s perspective, being a publisher that focuses exclusively on diversity for over 20-years we can honestly say progress is being made. Last year we produced a number of successful Diversity Gap studies on blog.leeandlow.com that went viral.
When Huffington Post asked us why we were conducting these studies we answered: “The Diversity Gap studies show a distinct, societal problem that pervades entertainment, media and even our government. The problems of representation, inequality, and social justice all stem from not having a seat at the proverbial table. But there are a lot of people who just don't think there's a problem - and you have to admit that there is a problem before you can attempt to fix it. While some would argue that we live in a "post racial society" and discussions concerning race are past tense, why do the numbers look like they do? Each study we do strengthens our argument that the diversity gap exists. We hope that our infographics about how far the diversity gap goes will encourage people to have a meaningful dialogue about what to do about it.”
From our point of view, this problem goes beyond B&N, awards, and slashed library budgets. This is an issue that is playing out right now and our activism toward change will be tested.
When K.T. quoted that “buying a book is a political act” this notion extends to every facet of publishing. Where you buy your book matters. If you purchase your books from an independent bookseller you have made a statement that chooses to forgo amazon’s free shipping and unmatchable discounts for the long-term reason of keeping independents around for as long as possible. If you buy a printed book in equal or greater levels to your e-book collection you are increasing the chance that the two formats can peacefully co-exist now and in the future. If you choose to buy diverse books for your patrons or your children this reflects your worldview. These are all conscious, small choices that matter.
This is the year LEE & LOW plans to take the conversation further. Discussion only goes so far, and real change means setting solid goals. What actions can we take to substantially move the needle in bringing about a more balanced representation in children’s books? We are optimistic. We hope you will all join the fight.
Thanks,
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:08:32 -0500
Hi everyone,
GREAT discussion. From LEE & LOW’s perspective, being a publisher that focuses exclusively on diversity for over 20-years we can honestly say progress is being made. Last year we produced a number of successful Diversity Gap studies on blog.leeandlow.com that went viral.
When Huffington Post asked us why we were conducting these studies we answered: “The Diversity Gap studies show a distinct, societal problem that pervades entertainment, media and even our government. The problems of representation, inequality, and social justice all stem from not having a seat at the proverbial table. But there are a lot of people who just don't think there's a problem - and you have to admit that there is a problem before you can attempt to fix it. While some would argue that we live in a "post racial society" and discussions concerning race are past tense, why do the numbers look like they do? Each study we do strengthens our argument that the diversity gap exists. We hope that our infographics about how far the diversity gap goes will encourage people to have a meaningful dialogue about what to do about it.”
From our point of view, this problem goes beyond B&N, awards, and slashed library budgets. This is an issue that is playing out right now and our activism toward change will be tested.
When K.T. quoted that “buying a book is a political act” this notion extends to every facet of publishing. Where you buy your book matters. If you purchase your books from an independent bookseller you have made a statement that chooses to forgo amazon’s free shipping and unmatchable discounts for the long-term reason of keeping independents around for as long as possible. If you buy a printed book in equal or greater levels to your e-book collection you are increasing the chance that the two formats can peacefully co-exist now and in the future. If you choose to buy diverse books for your patrons or your children this reflects your worldview. These are all conscious, small choices that matter.
This is the year LEE & LOW plans to take the conversation further. Discussion only goes so far, and real change means setting solid goals. What actions can we take to substantially move the needle in bringing about a more balanced representation in children’s books? We are optimistic. We hope you will all join the fight.
Thanks,
--- Jason Low Publisher LEE & LOW BOOKS 95 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 t. 212-779-4400 x. 27 e. jlow_at_leeandlow.com w. leeandlow.com b. blog.leeandlow.com On Feb 5, 2014, at 11:25 AM, Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse_at_wisc.edu> wrote: > One of the things everyone can do when the youth media awards are announced is to ask immediately which books were honored by the Coretta Scott King Awards process? by the Pura Belpre Awards process? (And I hasten to add: by the Batchelder Award process honoring publishers of newly translated children's books; and by the Schneider Awards process for books reflecting themes/topics related to limitations, disabilities.) It isn't enough to become wrapped up in what was or wasn't formally acknowledged by the Newbery and Caldecott Awards processes. It isn't enough to send only that information to one's friends and colleagues. There are other awards which, as K.T. pointed out about the CSK Awards, are very carefully selected and represent outstanding books in other categories. > > I served on the CSK jury between 1985 and 1990, and I've been active on the task force for years. During that time the American Library Association had a complex series of hoops through which to leap in order to create any new award within the ALA structure, and we did it! The John Steptoe Award for New Talent is recognized and announced within the ALA Youth Media Awards event. > > During the 2014 ALA Midwinter Conference in Philadelphia the 2014 Asian American Children's Book Award winners and the American Indian Children's Book Award winners were announced in ALA's "Cog-notes" distributed during the conference. Neither has - so far - become an official part of the ALA Youth Media Awards announcements. I don't know if either is attempting to jump the hoops. Even so, ask about these outcomes, too, next year; if you know which books were honored, share that news on CCBC-Net and other online information sources. > > During the Midwinter Conference, I was warmly welcomed at the American Indian Library Association's announcement of their awards, as were two representatives of the CSK general committee. Thanks, Debbie Reese, for announcing those outcomes on the ALSC listserv and on CCBC-Net in order to share that news. You took the important step I could have taken by sharing that information. > > I urge everyone to take the other awards seriously and do what you can to share that news. Right now - while we're thinking about this - consider conducting and then reporting other types of "mock" award discussions next November, December and early in January. It isn't rocket science. Pay attention to reviews and - better yet - ask involved colleagues which are some of the books eligible for one of the multicultural awards. Perhaps what seems to have become almost an annual frenzy to out-guess the actual Newbery and Caldecott committees can be expanded by blogs and local events showcasing some of the other books eligible for awards generally understood to be "multicultural." > > Thanks to the CCBC staff for conducting this important discussion and to Jason Low (Lee & Low Books) for initiating and continuing an essential conversation about Race all year long. > > Cordially, > Ginny > > Ginny Moore Kruse > Emerita Director of The CCBC, School of Education, University of Wisconsin - Madison > gmkruse_at_wisc.edu > You are currently subscribed to ccbc-net as: jlow_at_leeandlow.com. > > To post to the list, send message to... > > ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu > To receive messages in digest format, send a message to... > > ccbc-net-request_at_lists.wisc.edu > ...and include only this command in the body of the message... > > set ccbc-net digest > > > > CCBC-Net Archives > > The CCBC-Net archives are available to all CCBC-Net listserv members. The archives are organized by month and year. A list of discussion topics (including month/year) is available at... > > http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ccbcnet/archives.asp > To access the archives, go to... > > http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/ccbc-net > ...and enter the following when prompted... > > username: ccbc-net > password: Look4Posts --- You are currently subscribed to ccbc-net as: ccbc-archive_at_post.education.wisc.edu. To post to the list, send message to: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu To receive messages in digest format, send a message to... ccbc-net-request_at_lists.wisc.edu ...and include only this command in the body of the message: set ccbc-net digest CCBC-Net Archives The CCBC-Net archives are available to all CCBC-Net listserv members. The archives are organized by month and year. A list of discussion topics (including month/year) is available at http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ccbcnet/archives.asp To access the archives, go to: http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/ccbc-net and enter the following: username: ccbc-net password: Look4PostsReceived on Wed 05 Feb 2014 02:08:32 PM CST
