Cultural enrichment
‘Brown Girl and Brown Boy’ book series helps youth understand self-reflection and representation
Pamela Gurley, 45, is a professional speaker and author who recently released a 10-titled, 20-book series called “Brown Girl and Brown Boy.” Her series helps to inspire youth to not only love the skin they are in, but to also appreciate their character and place in the world.
In a conversation with the Chicago Tribune, Gurley shares insight on how her upbringing led to writing the series, and what she hopes children will take away when they read her books. This conversation has been edited and condensed.
Q: Why did you create the “Brown Girl and Brown Boy” children’s book series?
A: We are socialized to want to fit in, and with social media especially, there’s so much access that can change perception of who (children) need to be. So, I wanted to focus on the development age for children, teaching them how to be self-confident, self-aware, to be loved from a representation standpoint.
A lot of the time, we use the term representation. It’s not all about color, it’s about cultural enrichment for how we’re seen, and so I wanted to look at that when it comes to inclusivity for children and just let them know that you can just let them be.
The first book I introduced was “Be Social,” and I was really deliberate about that because we think of social as needing people. Being social is not always about needing people, it’s about knowing your placement, it’s about being able to go into the world and exploring. Look at the colors, recognize that you belong here, and it’s about learning how to see yourself, not looking at someone else. It’s about being happy with who you are and being able to have friendships that way. It’s also about being aware that you are special.
The second book in the series is “Break Barriers.” I felt it was important for representation again, giving our children the opportunity to see themselves not traditionally provided in books — it’s choosing not to be a doctor but being a surgeon. Not just being a lawyer, but being a judge or being a chemist, a competitive swimmer, a ballet dancer or a hockey player.
I thought it was important to create books for Black and brown children that say you have an opportunity to stand in this world and be what you want and feel special while being yourself.
Q: Why now?
A: There’s never really a good time when it comes to the impact we need to make for our children. There’s so much false representation in movies, on YouTube and on social media. There is so much stereotyping, and that’s what made me start adding books to the series. Kids will always need books, and there is never a time when books will not be appropriate.
Q: How has your upbringing inspired this work? A: We were all kids once. This world
is a cultural melting pot and I’m (of ) Mexican, Indian and Black descent. I was one of those children early on who was broken by society. It was having really curly hair and not looking the same as everyone else. I grew up my first five years in Hawaii. It was different moving to Georgia, and I spent all of my summers in Washington. In Washington, I wasn’t Black enough. I got lost trying to fit in and figure out who I am. While I excelled in my professional career, I was so toxic on the inside because I had no idea who I was or where I fit in. I don’t want kids to grow up like that.
Q: What do you hope children take away from this series?
A: I want them to see themselves in the words. I want, as they read, to feel connected to the words, to the colors in the book, and the meaning behind the book. I was really deliberate when I chose not to give names to my brown boy and brown girl. It’s because I want children to say “I am brown boy” or “I am brown girl.” The important part is for kids to see themselves and say “hey I’m a brown boy and I’m beautiful.” “I’m special or I’m brave.”
Q: What makes your series stand out from other books for children of color?
A: A lot of books are not tailored to the plight that Black and brown children go through. We are culturally different. While Dr. Seuss and other books discuss social norms, they talk about social norms for a different class. My books are geared toward cultural enrichment, which is a different level of representation. My books are very colorful. I have every kind of kid in my book from Asian to kids with red hair and freckles. Black and brown kids still need to see themselves around other people.
A lot of literature is focused on loving your Black skin and loving your Black hair. Why not who you are, how you are and where you are? It’s not about your color, it’s about your contribution. What are you giving to society?
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
A: I always tell people to just write. Worry about how it’s going to look after you’re done writing. A part of the writing process is getting everything out there on paper. I threw out the first several chapters of my book because they weren’t making sense with the flow. That’s going to happen.
Gurley will host a book reading and Kid’s Red Carpet event on Aug. 14 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave. Doors open at noon, and tickets are $5.
Gurley has plans to continue spreading her message with her series plus three special edition books specifically for Black and brown children with Down syndrome, autism (or other social diagnoses), and children with physical disabilities. Her books are available for online purchase at sites including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
“I got lost trying to fit in and figure out who I am. While I excelled in my professional career, I was so toxic on the inside because I had no idea who I was or where I fit in. I don’t want kids to grow up like that.”
— Pamela Gurley, a professional speaker and author