#stepupscholastic

Dear Scholastic,

I am an African American student entering the 8th grade.  I love reading but there are extremely limited current books written by or about African Americans in the library in my school and city. There are also limited number of currently published, non-fiction books on global studies and history.

I am reading books that are of no interest to me or contain outdated information, stereotypes or fiction stories that are too juvenile. I have to order books online constantly and most are not approved reading for Middle School readers. Please help my school to offer more diversity in approved reading selections.

Thank you,

Jordan G. Elkins Middle School 8th Grade Elkins, West Virginia

Dear Scholastic, We are here again, Scholastic? Really. Again? Another chance to tell the truth instead of perpetuating falsehoods, but you chose the party line of continuously turning to blind eye. My people - who were here on the land before colonizers arrived - had more to fear from the white people. We lived in harmony with the land and the animals. Your people brought death and disease.   So let's rewrite this review to tell the truth and stop the nonsense. You are singlehandedly keeping lies alive and enslaving the minds of anyone who reads your ridiculous books.

Burton, Michigan

Dear Scholastic, 

As a teacher I am always on the look out for books my students can relate to, but most of the books authored are for white children. Many others, in particular the history books like If you lived in Colonial Times, depict racist stereotypes of Native Americans and Blacks. This year I have only made one book order and my students have not bought any. Please update your collections!

Kapolei, Hawaii

Dear Scholastic,

At this point, your company should be aware of its role in indoctrinating the youngest of people residing on this land to accept white supremacy. White supremacy is the root cause of all the inequalities that result in violence & death in our country. This book is a contributing factor. Instead of us going through each book, why haven't you done the work yet to stop this? Why isn’t it a company-wide policy yet to be anti-white supremacist, anti-racist, & anti-colonial? I can only surmise that you are complicit and will no longer be purchasing Scholastic books until you declare that your company is committed to stop indoctrinating our young in white supremacy. Please do better!

Portland, Oregon

Dear Scholastic, I am a kindergarten teacher in Washington, DC. Next month, I will be teaching a unit on Colonial times. I recently read a review of your book If you Lived in Colonial Times by Anne McGovern (1992) and am horrified that Scholastic is still publishing this book. I refuse to read a book in my classroom that erases my students' diverse histories, and instead whitewashes history in favor of a feel-good narrative that centers whiteness. It is disheartening that it is near impossible to find books about the Colonial period that tell the stories of Native people and African Americans, considering they were instrumental to American life at this time. Please invest in writers of color who can tell these stories. I hope you will publish books that reflect this time in a truthful and developmentally appropriate way.

Ahsley C. Washington, D.C.

Dear Scholastic, First, I want to answer the title/question of the book. If I Lived In Colonial Times, I would have been either an enslaved African in America or a free African from either Mali, St Helena or Uganda, or possibly a Portuguese whaler working off the West African coast (all according to my DNA testing.) As a State-licensed early childhood teacher, I actively work with other teachers to be critical thinkers of the materials we choose for our classrooms. Teachers have more and more choices than ever before. That, coupled with our increased responsibility to work with the multi-racial and very diverse students across this country, means that we no longer need to be bothered with poorly written, inaccurate, racist books that teach students to disregard the humanity of those who look and live differently than themselves. We now have alternatives at our fingertips, so please keep that in mind...

I recently read a review of your book If you Lived in Colonial Times by Anne McGovern (1992). This book presents colonial history exclusively through the lens of white colonists. The book presents harmful stereotypes about Native Americans throughout. The only reference to Africans and the institution of slavery is that "some ships brought people who were not glad to come." The book does not acknowledge the United States as a colonial or imperial power. History can be presented honestly at a developmentally appropriate level for young people. This book promotes dangerous myths to children in their early stages of identity formation. This book should no longer be published or distributed.

Mars C. Chicago, Illinois

Dear Scholastic, I recently read a review of your book If You Lived in Colonial Times by Anne McGovern (1992). This book presents colonial history exclusively through the lens of white colonists. The book presents harmful stereotypes about Native Americans throughout. The only reference to Africans and the institution of slavery is that “some ships brought people who were not glad to come.” The book does not acknowledge the United States as a colonial or imperial power. History can be presented honestly at a developmentally appropriate level for young people. This book promotes dangerous myths to children in their early stages of identity formation. This book should no longer be published or distributed. It was taken out of my classroom library and will recommend all other teachers do the same!

Christina Bustos Mesa, Arizona

Dear Scholastic, For many years I was a regular writer for Scholastic Teacher and Scholastic Scope. I admired both publications but recently am becoming aware of just how out of step my old employer has become. I recently read a review of your book If You Lived in Colonial Times by Anne McGovern (1992). This book presents colonial history exclusively through the lens of white colonists. The book presents harmful stereotypes about Native Americans throughout. The only reference to Africans and the institution of slavery is that “some ships brought people who were not glad to come.” The book does not acknowledge the United States as a colonial or imperial power. History can be presented honestly at a developmentally appropriate level for young people. This book promotes dangerous myths to children in their early stages of identity formation. This book should no longer be published or distributed.

Karen Branan Washington, D.C.