Not My Idea, A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham, is intended to help children become aware of racism and cultivate the value of justice, respect, and equality. Unfortunately, the book perpetuates guilt and hate for being white. Instead of fostering a thoughtful discussion about racism, it eventually supports further division by corrupting the innocence of young readers.
Not My Idea is a picture book about a white child seeing footage of a police officer murdering a Black man on television. The girl's mother and even other family members are trying to shield her from the images. "Our family is kind to everyone" is the only answer she gets from her mother whenever she sees the news about police and black people. The family refuses to discuss the significance of the killings.
Meanwhile, the child got disturbed and frustrated about the incident. The child observed in the stores, schools, and even on the streets that people treat one another based on color. Then, she got curious about its cause; she went to the library and discovered the dominance of whiteness in American history. The girl firmly believes that she sees and knows color and how it is influential in society. She asserts that what the police officer did was wrong and awful.
Many readers claim that the book is fundamental in introducing racism to young children. In addition, it is an excellent resource to help kids understand the concept of racial injustice. Moreover, it encourages children and parents to be more empathetic even in difficult conversations about race and violence. Further, it is an avenue to cultivate a culture of justice for children. However, the book is biased, age-inappropriate, and makes children feel guilty because they are white.
How could anyone expose innocent children to this kind of thinking? Should we teach confusion and hate to our children?
Think better!
Children ages 5-8 who would be reading this book are way too young to understand these issues. This book starts under the disguise of teaching history and how to not to be racist but in the end, it's evident that this is simply an anti-white book. Moreover, this book is racist propaganda because it teaches innocent white children to feel guilt, anger, and hate towards themselves and their families.
Further, it also teaches their non-white peers to feel hate and anger towards whites. Not to mention the book's introduction about a cop murdering a black man encourages children to be afraid of all police. To children who barely understand, a cop will be regarded as murderers.
Isn't it propaganda for the social divide?
Why not teach our children about racial unity and people of all colors playing and working together as we know is possible and happens every day in America?
Let's admit it. All races have their shameful history, weaknesses to overcome, strengths, and historical paragon of justice to celebrate. Pointing out justice and acceptance of diversity is a much better way to teach young people.
Let us stop indoctrinating our youth with racial hatred, and maybe we wouldn't have some of the problems we have in this country today.
