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I’m sorry.
But in the year of 2020
We get a YALSA Nonfiction list with ZERO Black authors?!
In a year when Stamped & All Boys Aren’t Blue & Lifting as We Climb & This Book is Anti-Racist were published?!
I don’t know why I expected better, but I did.
But in the year of 2020
We get a YALSA Nonfiction list with ZERO Black authors?!
In a year when Stamped & All Boys Aren’t Blue & Lifting as We Climb & This Book is Anti-Racist were published?!
I don’t know why I expected better, but I did.
I am...well, not shocked exactly. Because shocked would mean that I expect every group of librarians to be intentional in focusing on diverse representation. And I know that definitely doesn’t happen. Because a majority of [white] librarians don’t pay attention to representation.
I’m just extremely disappointed.
I’m sure these books are all great. I’m glad there is one WOC on this list.
But to NOT include ANY of the fabulous YA nonfiction books written by Black authors on this year’s list is honestly atrocious.
I’m sure these books are all great. I’m glad there is one WOC on this list.
But to NOT include ANY of the fabulous YA nonfiction books written by Black authors on this year’s list is honestly atrocious.
For many libraries, especially those with small budgets, they look to these awards lists to make purchasing decisions.
And this list is telling them that none of the YA nonfiction books about Black experience and Black history are worth purchasing this year.
And this list is telling them that none of the YA nonfiction books about Black experience and Black history are worth purchasing this year.
Lifting as We Climb was on the National Book Award Longlist.
Not saying that should be an automatic choice. Because you could have found more excellence in All Boys Aren’t Blue. Or This Book is Anti-Racist. Or Stamped. Or any of the other YA nonfiction titles by Black authors.
Not saying that should be an automatic choice. Because you could have found more excellence in All Boys Aren’t Blue. Or This Book is Anti-Racist. Or Stamped. Or any of the other YA nonfiction titles by Black authors.
But why wasn’t ONE of them chosen?
Or the more telling question: Were any of those books even IN the conversation?
Or the more telling question: Were any of those books even IN the conversation?
Not including a Black author on this 2021 list after a summer of anti-racist book clubs is why our Black colleagues can’t trust us to right.
Because 9 times outta 10, we won’t.
Just saying “We need to do better” ain’t it.
We need to actually DO BETTER.
Because 9 times outta 10, we won’t.
Just saying “We need to do better” ain’t it.
We need to actually DO BETTER.
For reference, here is the short list: http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2020/12/yalsa-announces-2021-excellence-nonfiction-young-adults-award-finalists
