It is an unequivocal truth that Black women have made a huge impact on cultures around the world. And it is my belief that, in order to raise children as global citizens, they must understand that people from all walks of life have made indelible contributions to society as we know it today. Unfortunately, the reality is that a lot of the education and cultural exposure that kids get today leaves out the stories of people of colour, especially women of colour, who have made a difference in the world. This leaves children with a very myopic view and limited understanding of their world and their own place in it.
Black Girls Are Magic is the concept behind the #BlackGirlMagic hashtag and global movement. It is the understanding that Black women and girls ARE able to do both ordinary and extraordinary things because we ARE ordinary and extraordinary. It is language meant to celebrate the power, beauty and strength of all Black women and girls, and it is a movement I encourage everyone, especially kids, to embrace. As parents, I believe it is our responsibility to bridge the gaps that have separated and alienated people in the past, in order to bring us all together now and in the future. This is the legacy we will leave our children and all the generations to come: humanity thrives because of the gifts we all contribute to the world.
For children of underrepresented races and ethnic groups, it is vital to their self-development to see people who look like them and who are working and existing in extraordinary ways in the world. Representation can be the key that unlocks the barriers to their own potential for productivity and greatness.
Stories about phenomenal Black women and girls often go untold in a world where white men are prioritised. We should all be deliberate in acknowledging, applauding and amplifying the stories of girls like talented punk rocker Poly Styrene, powerful poet Warsan Shire, and inspiring publisher Margaret Busby. These stories highlight the power, beauty and resilience of Black women and, while this is imperative for the lives of Black boys and girls, I believe it is equally important for children who don’t identify as Black.
Children need to see people be great so they can know that greatness lies within them as well. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Stories of Black Girl Magic is a deliberate attempt to teach all children about the power of women in the world. It is the fourth volume in a series of best-selling books. The first two volumes had a broad focus on all women, the third volume shone the spotlight on immigrant women and now there is this beautiful volume highlighting the work, wonderfulness, and wisdom of Black women and girls.
The book is packed with stories that deserve to be told and all children deserve to hear them. We are preparing our children to live in a world that we will not see. Let’s all do our very best to prepare them to live in a way that honours the significance of everyone who exists in it.