Scholastic Stops Distribution of a Book

Check out what critical lenses and a large group of people can do...

Apparently, Scholastic was publishing a book called "A Birthday Cake for George Washington." The cover looks like this

Well, an Indiana librarian was worried that the book was sending a "smiling" message about slavery - as the book is not clear that the main characters were George Washington's slaves. She also argues that, although everyone has the capacity to smile, by repeatedly showing the slaves smiling, it seems to send the message that the slaves were okay with their position. 

So she wrote a critical review, it was shared it on social media, people created a petition and a hashtag, and now Scholastic has decided to stop publishing the book.

Your voices do have power! Can't wait to send our letters.

Article: "I Went to a Trump Rally in My Hijab"

Check out this article by a Muslim woman who attended a Trump rally wearing her hijab and carrying her Qur'an. She says that she got some stares (but nothing much more), but ultimately found that "it was worth the risk to me to show them that their insecurities about Muslims were unfounded. It was worth it to humanize Muslims for them. And it was worth it, to me, to recognize their humanity too."

International Bill of Gender Rights

You all know about America's Bill of Rights...

But did you know that there is an International Bill of Gender Rights? It was created by the International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy 23 years ago in 1993. Considering the more widespread attention that gender/gay marriage/and transgender people have received lately, I was surprised that something like this has existed for so long!

Of most interest to our studies is "The Right of Access to Gendered Space and Participation in Gendered Activity." You can check out the explanation in the document, but basically this right asserts that since people have the ability to name their gender (ex. they can say they are a girl even if they have boy body parts), they need to be allowed to be in places and participate in activities for the gender that they say they are (even if they don't look like it on the outside).

Identity is complicated, so it is important to know that documents like this exist to protect the rights of ALL people.

Speaking of gender and education...

Here's a writing contest sponsored by YES! Magazine, that shares powerful ideas and tries to inspire practical action. They featured an article about two of the other female students who were also shot on their bus ride home from school with Malala. Read the article, then write an essay describing how you would feel if you were banned from going to school. What would you do about it?

Let me know if you are interested and I will get you entered!