Happy Black History Month!!!
Welcome to our month-long celebration of every bit of Black Excellence!!! The library will host a fun and interactive research lesson on Black Representation in YA & Children's Literature. See details below. Additionally, there will be a historically Black Sorority/Fraternity step-show and more! There's also a book fair going on this month and several campus celebrations happening in honor of the culturally responsive teachings about this specific American culture. Five to six lessons are embedded in this newsletter. Enjoy!
1947 Green Book: Thank You Mr. Holland for sharing this treasure!
When you exist in a world that shows outward disdain for your very existence, you have to adapt quickly & safely. Imagine traveling through "Sundown" towns, where after dark, you were hunted and mistreated just for trying to get something to eat. One could literally be chased out of town by vigilante citizens. To create safety, unity and fellowship, Black Americans created their very own travel book with hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues designed to welcome Black citizens. How amazing is that?
Safe Place to Land...
There was a series on Nextflix, Lovecraft Country, that had a character creating a "Green Book" for safe travels for Black Americans. What was really unique about the series is that it was a combination of historical fiction with a science fiction/fantasy twist (think Stranger Things mixed with historical context). It only lasted one season, but there are archives of the series. Additionally, there's a Hollywood-style movie--very loosely based--about the "Green Book" as well. These series are for YA and older, so check with your parents before you watch, unless you're an adult. Then, enjoy it! :)
Connection to Green-Book
What you may not know is that my grandmother, Viola Jarmon Sellers Brown, hosted supper clubs way back when on the east side of Austin, when it was a vibrant Black community before the integration of the city. She cooked for a lot of "Green Book" travelers from 1949 until 1954ish, so her journals from that time period says. Returning back to the Austin area is reclaiming a legacy in my family. Here's some other families fighting the good fight in Texas in the 1940s/50s.
Brown Girl Dreaming
This title summed up my life in three words. I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting Ms. Woodson and reading this HIGHLY treasured book. It is a collection of poems spotlighting Black family, culture and food. We have a copy in the library ready for check out. Come & get it while you can! :)
Signed copy!
In my years as an educator and librarian, I've met a lot of authors, artists and Black Trailblazers. Perhaps you know these names: Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Reynolds, Dr. Maya Angelou, Lamar Giles, Angie Thomas and Varian Johnson. It's a blast seeking out those giants that paved the way ahead for others like me. It goes to show that with a little persistence and location, you can meet your heroes/heroines too.
"Gifted" by Jacqueline Woodson
Listen to Grammy Award Winning Artist, Alicia Keys, read an excerpt from brown girl dreaming on SoundCloud.
"I Got Next" by Daria Peoples-Riley
This books discusses a young man, who after his hair cut, works up enough courage to ask the older group on the basketball court for the next game. Themes: self esteem, confronting intimidating moments, & performance anxiety.
"Sun" by Alison Oliver
The innocence of a child's imagination and their interactions with wildlife on a sunny day at the beach. The main character has built new friends, made new friends and lost new friends. So many times childhood innocence is taken away before it's necessary. This encapsulates the wonder of nature and new opportunities.
"When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc & the Creation of Hip-hop!
by LaBan Carrick Hill
What's amazing about this book is it discusses how "turn-tables" "DJs" and "Break-dancers" got there start in Black musical history. Simply put, this is the predecessor of Tik-tok viral dances. Before there was technology to create a loop of music digitally, one had to manually roll back a record to create an extended instrumental music to rap over. :)
Dessau MS Library
The library is open daily from 8:00am-3:30pm. I take "C" lunch from 12:25-12:55, closing briefly for nourishment. Reserving the library can be made here. Please send students with a legitimate pass on their agenda from their classroom instructor (name, date/time of student & staff) and reason for visit.
February Closure Dates for the DMS library: Feb. 7-11. During Book Fair Week, the library will only be open BEFORE/AFTER school for check-out purposes.
Email: eboni.darnell@pfisd.net
Website: https://awakenlibrarian.com
Location: 12900 Dessau Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-594-2600