EMPOWERING MESSAGE
Author, illustrator team up for children's publication with positive message
Shanice Nicole, author of the children's book Dear Black Girls, says she wanted to put young Black females front and centre in her work. She also wanted to send them some love in a world where they are often overlooked.
Author Shanice Nicole and illustrator Kezna Dalz launched their first book at the beginning of Black History Month, and there is no doubt about who it's for.
Dear Black Girls addresses its audience directly in the title. In a world where they're often overlooked, Nicole wanted to put young Black females front and centre. She also wanted to send them some love.
She didn't know Dear Black Girls would be a children's book — or a book at all — when she wrote it. It began as a spoken word poem, or as she calls what she does: (out) spoken word.
“This was the summer of 2015,” said Nicole, 29. “One of the repeated messages and imagery I was seeing in the media, all forms of media, was a lot of violence and oppression against Black communities and Black people. In particular, I was seeing a lot of violence toward Black girls and Black women, much of which was going unaddressed.
“For me, there was a desire to recognize that (violence) and to respond to it with love, appreciation and recognition. This is the message I thought was necessary for Black women and Black girls to hear, to be reminded of.”
“Dear Black girls,” the poem begins, “Yes, you, the ones who are starting something new / and wondering how you'll do / Yes, you, the ones who have big feelings / in your minds and bodies / Yes, you, the ones who are looking in the mirror and wondering if you like what you see / Yes, you, the ones who are chasing / one of your many magical dreams.”
Then, on the next page: “Yes, you, Black girls. Yes, you.”
The poem expresses love for Black girls' skin, full lips, curves and curly hair, and their right to do as they wish with their body. It also broaches bigger topics:
“I love the way your forehead / takes up space on your face. / Strong, big, and wide, / like the oceans many of our ancestors survived – / hard, protecting the wonder that is your mind.”
“I think it's important to tell the truth, especially with children and young people, who are so brilliant and so curious,” said Nicole, who has conducted sex education workshops for teens and who is senior equity education adviser (anti-oppression and anti-racism) at Mcgill University.
The book's parting message is clear as day: “despite what you may feel, think, hear, or see, / know that you are honoured, / protected, / and loved ...”
Then, on the last page: “... by Black girls like me.”
Nicole believes the book can be read in one sitting, returned to time and again, or used as the starting point for deeper discussions.
“It's a message to myself, as well,” she said. “When I perform it, it always feels like a good hug.”
In creating the hand-painted images that accompany Nicole's words, Dalz relied on a few guiding concepts.
“Since it's a children's book, I aimed to use bright colours that would be appealing to the eye of a kid,” she said. “I also wanted to place characters in joyful moments, to show they can be themselves and enjoy themselves.”
She tried to show as many different types of Black girls as possible, in a variety of life situations.
“Our biggest goal was representation.”
Doing a children's book was new territory for the visual artist, whose playful, socially engaged paintings often feature naked Black women with a range of body types. Dalz sells paintings, digital prints, pillows and clothes through her website teenadultt.com
“(My art is) about representation, and body positivity,” she explained. “I like showing the curves of my characters.”
She says the book's theme is one of empowerment.
“I hope Black girls read it and feel good about themselves, and feel seen.”