#pepperslibrary

"Imagine not being able to marry the person you loved, just because they were of a race different from your own. Here is the story of the love between Mildred and Richard Loving. Here is the story of the courage they needed to have that love recognized: a story about how the law changed for the better, about how the law made room for the Lovings, and by doing so, made way for love." 

The Case For Loving: The Fight For Interracial Marriage is a beautifully crafted and incredibly relevant book by the talented Selina Alko and Sean Qualls. The book focuses on the story of the Loving Family, who challenged a Virginia law banning interracial marriage. Given that my wife and I are interracially married, the Loving story is one that remains important to us. We are forever grateful to the Lovings for their bravery and grateful to Alko and Qualls (also an interracial couple) for making a children's version of this important part of American history to share with our daughter. There are certainly passages that might need an explanation, but considering how important this conversation is, it will be worth it. I know for our family, it is important for our child to know that there were laws that would not allow her mother and father to be married. I hope you will consider adding The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko, illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko to your child's library.

Amazon

I am gradually introducing the work of Langston Hughes to my young daughter. Hughes is easily my favorite writer. He made poetry accessible to me. I remember reading "I, Too" for the first time and hearing a voice that I had not heard in any other piece of literature I had read up to that point. I've taught one of his short stories. I've read and re-read The Big Sea , his autobiography. I could go on and on. The work of Langston Hughes has affected me profoundly and helped my identity development, so I cannot wait to share more of it as my daughter matures.