A Teacher's Dream

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

In my role as an Instructional Assistant at Druid Hills Academy, I have come to rely on the Plaza Midwood Library as an oasis. Books in the children's department feature characters that our scholars can relate to. They can see African American characters, Hispanic characters, animal characters, funny characters, and smart characters...characters that children can relate to, where children see themselves. An affirmation. Combing the shelves and finding Langston Hughes for children is joyful. What’s even better is hearing children read My People with conviction at seven and eight years old. Thank you, Langston.

The day the jury was announcing the verdict in the George Floyd murder (although I did not know this on the way to school), I had picked out the book Abuela by George Dorros. A grand tale of a grandma and granddaughter flying around a city seeing grandeur in trees, parks, stores, skyscrapers, and the like. We even learned a few words in Español. After the scholars read the story, I asked them to write about where they would like to fly and what they might see. Ah, the beauty of imagination! They flew over the world's oceans, trees, Memphis, Las Vegas, and parks. Then, a scholar called me over and said, "I would see the shootings." The scholar and I talked along with the class about peaceful ways to solve problems. NO GUNS.

I felt a heaviness the rest of the day and that evening that is still with me — always will be. The bigger challenge is why seven and eight-year-olds must carry that heavy of a thought at such a young age? Aren't these the years to be carefree? Not so much anymore. It’s not fair that young African American and Hispanic children have this image with them in their guts right now in school in 2021. As Langston wrote in, I Too Am America that someday and I quote, "They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed."

Through reading library books, children share what is inside their hearts and souls and find ways to liberate the heavy, at least to start. There is so much work ahead. May we all work together to ensure children may be children once again.

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This blog was written by Stephanie Donnis, recipient of the Instructional Assistant of the Year Central One 2021 award at Druid Hills Academy.