Thursday, March 22, 2018

Little feminist lesson at Amazon bookstore

"Why can't a little asian girl learn about black female leaders?", Marli asked me while we were in the Best Seller section of the Amazon Bookstore shopping for my friends daughters' first birthday. " But why would I buy a book with all female black leaders for a little asian girl when I can buy another female empowerment box set with mix races?" I answered while holding onto RBG's new children book. 

"Ruth's white" Marli rebutted. I quickly realize this is a conversation with no winners or losers.

Truth is, I want this little asian girl to be empowered by being Asian first, then a feminist. But because I couldn't find a book highlighting Asian Female leaders, Ruth, being raised in my hometown, Brooklyn and being one of the most admired female in this country was enough for me to want to tell all the little girls about her.

Bigger question is- when will we finally see some familiar faces in books our girls can relate to?