Zetta Elliott's Blog, page 119

tune in

With so much stupidity and negativity on TV these days, it's easy to just tune out…I find I'm turning off the TV more often and turning on NPR, and sometimes I turn it all off and just enjoy the silence…

This morning I have some great reasons for you to tune back in:

My friend Rosa pointed me to this fabulous black feminist blog: The Crunk Feminist Collective .  Be sure to read their review of Tyler Perry's latest poc (piece of crap)Colleen over at Chasing Ray has a great post up about the new

upcoming events

If you're going to be near Albany this weekend, why not check out the Empire State Book Festival?  I'll be on a panel with some fabulous YA authors:

3:45 PM – 4:30 PMChildren's & YA Books of History – Fact and Fiction

Meeting Room 1

Hear how a panel of distinguished writers of historical fact and fiction make it work for the audience they are targeting. One writes historical fiction from an American Indian perspective while another author is in search of real daredevils!
Speakers:
Joseph Bruchac

numbers don't lie–do they?

Ok, so now that I've compiled this list of books published in Canada, it's time for the analysis.  I have to begin by saying I am truly heartened by the number of books about black people that are available for children in Canada today.  Of course, I don't know if all of the books I listed are available in all schools and public libraries, but any parent who's looking for black books in Canada should be able to find *something* for their child to read.  Will that book about blacks be written ...

Black Canadian children's literature ~ the stats

Math is not my favorite subject, so compiling statistics is not going to be fun…and it's going to take a long time, I think, because right now I'm going by books that have been reviewed in Canada's leading children's literature journal, CM.  But I know from experience that not all books GET reviewed.  So that means contacting Canadian publishers directly and asking them to submit data on their books by and about black people.  This morning I made a list of books (published in Canada since...

consensus

Have you filled out your census form?  I hope so!  I've been thinking about consensus today, and how easy it is for others to dismiss a single point of view.  Clearly, the way I feel about multiculturalism in Canada is based on my personal experiences and the limited reading I've done on the subject.  Recently I found this essay delivered by scholar Rinaldo Walcott at a conference held last fall at York University in Toronto: MULTI-CULTURALISM AND ITS DISCONTENTS.   I first met Rinaldo when I...

Ain't they black!

"Ain't they black!"

Negotiating Blackness and Borders

in Canadian Young Adult Literature

Last fall I reached my tipping point.  After spending just one year as a fledgling member of the kidlit blogosphere, I poured my accumulated rage and frustration into an open letter to the children's publishing industry.  How could it be that with two black girls now living in the White House, African and African American authors are credited with less than 2% of the five thousand books published for...

use your VOICE

I need a nap!  But I've been really productive these past few days—I've got over 2000 words written, which means my essay's almost done, and today I had a really productive meeting with the folks at the NYPL.  Even though I tend to shy away from conflict, I really value the opportunity to express myself, to hear others' point of view, and to work collaboratively to find solutions.  With effective communication, anything can be changed…you just have to SPEAK UP!

Did you know there's a great...

SOS

Calling all Canadians!  Apparently, some review outlets in Canada won't consider a book for review unless it's available in bookstores.  Wish is available on the Chapters Indigo website, but it isn't being stocked—same deal at Book City.  So…if you're in Canada and you have some cash to spare, please stop by your nearest bookstore and let them know there IS demand for Wish!  You can also request that your local public library buy a copy for your branch.  THANK YOU!

bubbling up

This cold was probably caused by a virus; I gave four presentations last week, and there were lots of little sneezers running about.  But illness is also about dis/ease, right?  If you're emotionally or spiritually unsettled, your immune system weakens, and next thing you know, you're on the couch with a rapidly-dwindling box of tissue.  Or maybe being sick makes you more inclined to look inward…either way, I've been casting my net over Canada—yet again—trying to find a way to generate...

stormy weather

The forecaster says it's raining cats and dogs outside…sure sounds like it!  I'm sick as a dog with this end-of-winter cold, but must trudge out to see the doctor.  Then it will be soup and bed for me…fortunately, this cold didn't fully kick in until *after* my radio interview yesterday.  And just before we began, FedEx delivered this beautiful piece of art made by a super talented student at Our Lady of Lourdes in Hamilton Heights (thanks, Stephanie!)

The other news to brighten my day? ...