2021 Spring Supplement Flipbook - Flipbook - Page 18
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
The Journey to
Racial Justice
Meet Author Kelisa Wing
Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, students
were grappling with more than new
learning environments. They were
witness to countless cases of racial
injustice and the marches and movements that emerged to address them.
Cherry Lake Press responded with
Racial Justice in America, a new series
developed by Kelisa Wing and written
by her and authors Leigh Ann Erickson,
Fatima D. El-Mekki, Jessica S. Henry,
and Hedreich Nichols. We’re honored
to share Kelisa’s insights on this critical
new resource. Cherry Lake Publishing
Editorial Director, Sarah Rockett, talks
with Kelisa Wing.
Sarah: In a blog post, "Our Children
Need Us Not to Grow Weary in the
Work of Anti-Racism” you shared
your sense of great despair. How did
you develop this series to encourage
and engage students while you were
“feeling the weight of 400 years of
systemic racism?”
Kelisa: We can choose: allow our
rage to defeat us or turn our rage
into action and drive change. I truly
wanted to encourage the next generation of young learners to be the
change in this world and to believe
they can do just that through the
power of knowledge.
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Sarah: These Cherry Lake titles are
generally suited for readers, grades 5
to 8. Are there particular equity topics
that best resonate with them?
Kelisa: I believe that it’s never
too early to begin talking with
children about equity, inclusion, and
diversity. Topics such as empathy,
respect, and awareness of others
should begin as early as possible to
begin to foster those skills we want to
see in our world.
Sarah: Children seem to be more open
and energized to address equity
challenges. What are your thoughts
on keeping them involved throughout
their lives?
Kelisa: Young children simply want to
play with other children, and aren't
concerned about the socio-economic
status, background, or the amount of
melanin in others’ skin. As they get
older, society begins to plant seeds
of division and hatred and the cycle
continues from one generation to the
next. To combat this, we must teach
our children to, as Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. said, “have the strength to
love” one another despite what the
world says to do. Doing so keeps
them engaged in the lifelong journey
of treating everyone equitably and not
growing weary in doing what is right.
Kelisa Wing is an educator, author,
speaker, and activist for discipline
reform. In 2017 she was named the
2017 Teacher of the Year for the Department of Defense Education Activity
(DoDEA) and is the first person of color
to receive the award in the DoDEA’s
71-year history.
To learn more about Kelisa visit:
www.kelisawing.com