Another Way Forward

So many of us could tell you what went wrong. We probably all have different ideas, and most are probably right. It was a catastrophe of epic proportions that didn’t just begin with this election cycle. Now, however, our energy is focused on watching things unroll so we can be prepared for what’s next. We are concerned about the future of education, the safety of BIPOC, disabled, and queer and trans bodies, and the bits of equity we’ve gained. We worry about climate, and the environment and we wonder about the ability of the 99% to earn a decent living, buy a home and have health care. We’re scared of losing our ability to tell our stories, to learn about out place in history, or to celebrate our dreams.

These are concerns I have more about future generations than the right now; more about my Rubys than my Pearls. What I do know is that creators speaking truths through books, poetry, visual arts, dance, and song give us hope, shapes our ideas, and provide a rhythm/tapestry/beat that will liberate a community.

Whatever just happened, whatever just knocked us back 150 years, (or did it just remind us where we are?) we have to do what we always do and that’s the work to prepare, protect, and persevere. We have to restore our souls. We have a lot to do, including talking to our young people. The perfect place for that to happen is in our schools and libraries.

I’m using this space to deliver messages to our young people from the writers, illustrators and storytellers that they look up to to deliver lines of care, comfort, motivation, FIRE, and purpose to let them know we have not forgotten them. Please, share this with them and let them know they are not alone; they are loved.

Cheryl Willis Hudson’s quilt, Facing the Rising Sun, captures the inspirational words that apply to the past, present and future. Cheryl tells us that, “the lyrics of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” provide so much encouragement and speak to the entire experience of Black folks in this country and worldwide. They are stitched into this story quilt in the rays of the sun and the notes of the song are embellished in the cowrie shells.”

“Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun of a new day begun
Let us march on ’til victory is won.”
James Weldon Johnson

Credit: “Facing the Rising Sun” story quilt (c) 2024 by Cheryl Willis Hudson.
Reproduced by permission of the artist.

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“My ancestors developed a keen understanding of how to swallow disappointment and not let it drown their spirits. They’ve had to pick themselves up and make a way out of no way after decades of betrayal by the American electorate and their fellow neighbors. We know and understand this monster. But as James Baldwin said, ‘We cannot afford despair. We cannot tell the children there’s no hope.’ So, we must keep the light on for them. Onward. The fight continues.

Dhonielle Clayton; New York Times bestselling author

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Now is the time to connect with your community. We need to take care of each other and remember we’re not alone. Ask for help. Volunteer your strengths. When confronted with conformity, remember your values. Remember who you are.

Mike Curato; Flamer
website | instagram

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Human beings are a storytelling species who cannot survive without our stories. Stories tell us who we are, and where we come from. Old stories become new through every generation, and though some would edit out our chapter or revise our backstory, all of us are connected to this human story. Raise your voice: keep telling your stories and sharing them. Keep being open to discovering new tales. As you keep faith as readers, I’ll keep faith as a writer to continue writing and showing the places where our stories interconnect. Not everyone is on the same page, but we all HAVE a page. Never forget: We are who makes the story worth reading.

tanita s. davis; The Science of Friendship

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If you are grieving, it’s okay to admit it. Many of us are.
One thing that helps me when I am sad, or my heart is hurting, is to go outside to my garden, or to go for a walk where I can see someone else’s garden. Every flower I see reminds me that there is still beauty in the world. It reminds me that, no matter how things change, the sun will still rise and set, and I will be warmed by her rays.
There is great healing power in nature. Step outside, if you can, and soak it in.”

Nikki Grimes; A Walk In the Woods

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Emma Goldman said more than a hundred years ago: “The most violent element in society is ignorance.” So we all must keep reading, learning, expanding our worlds. That is the way to unity and peace.

Deborah Heiligman; Forthcoming: Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story)

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Times that challenge us will come sometimes. Sometimes, they come unexpectedly making it appear that we have no answers. But there are always answers because we will and must keep moving to the light that leads to a better world for all. Young people have always been one of these answers. You are one of these answers!”

Wade Hudson; The Day Madear Voted

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I know there’s a long fight ahead of us, but I also know I’m better at fighting than I was eight years ago: I’m better at resisting gloom and doom, more resilient in the face of defeats, and more aware of the power of community action to make changes. I’ll never stop fighting for a better world.

Adib Khorram; author of the forthcoming Tea is Love

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Above all, keep learning. Cheering you on and upward
Cynthia Levinson; Free to Learn: How Alfredo Lopez Fought for the Right to Learn

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What you can control right now as a young person is how you choose to feed your mind and heart. This is the time to read, learn, and strengthen what you know about the world. Ask hard questions, dig deeper for understanding, verify what you are told. This is the time to speak up about things like fairness and compassion in your school and in your community and to stand up for those who are vulnerable. And so, this is the time when you will have to be very brave.

Meg Medina; National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

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Never lose faith in humanity. Because we are smart and resilient and survivors. As dark as this time may feel, do not doubt for even a moment that we will rise again. We will win. It may take longer and we may have to be more cunning, more devious and subversive, but we will get there.

Ellen Oh; author and founding member of WNDB

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What can you do when you wake up to the mess that’s been made of our climate, our courts, our classrooms, our school libraries? Feel whatever you feel–sadness, fear, frustration, rage, hopelessness–then feel for what you can still believe in. What is still good, what gives you life, what helps you grow, what opens your heart? Do more of that. And from that open-hearted place, think about what you must stand for. It could be a stand for books you love, or for teachers who inspire you, or for music that uplifts, for plants that call forward nurturing, or for art that cries out the pain you feel. It could be a stand for yourself, for people you love, for a life you want to live. Whatever stand you can hold is a good stand.

There is plenty to fight against, but when we are only in our fight, we get tired and drop out. Once you know your life-giving stand, though, you have a resource that will keep you strong as you advocate, write, resist, or persist. Keep coming back to that strong stand, and call on others to hold it with you, or to find their stand.

And please know that I write and fight and stand firm for readers because I believe you all deserve better.

Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Out of Darkness and editor of Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights

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Shout, scream, laugh, sing, and know you are loved. You are loved, rising young readers from Utqiaġvik, Alaska to Hilo, Hawai’i; from Adak, Alaska to Eastport, Maine. You are loved for your sharp and questioning minds. You are loved for how you care for our Earth and for each other. You are loved for your ability to see a better way forward. You are loved for the fire you carry, for the heroes you are and always will be.

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee); NY Times bestselling author; curator. Heartdrum

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I’m grateful history records that those who came before us faced immense challenges during their lifetimes too. Whether it’s my Cherokee ancestors who survived the forced removal from our homelands during a bitterly cold winter or my grandfather who served in the Pacific during World War II, I know these family members experienced hardships no one should ever have to face. I pray we will all use our gifts to help others in these difficult times.

Traci Sorell, co-author of Mascot

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Politicians and political parties did not create hope. As a person of faith, I believe hope came from a Higher Power. Elections that did not go our way can temporarily dim our hopes and dreams, but hope is still there. Helping others less fortunate, in worse situations than our own, can rekindle what was lost within us. I encourage my young readers to find ways to help friends, family, and others around the world. I think that’s what V.P. Harris would want them to do, too. That’s certainly what I plan to do.

Don Tate, award winning author and illustrator

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The urge to divide people into ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is deeply engrained in humanity. But nations and cultures never progress by vilifying the ‘other’, they only progress when they expand their definition of ‘us.’  

Pamela S. Turner; How to Build A Human in Seven Evolutionary Steps

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Fear is a lock. Courage is the key,” says one of the characters in my novel, Born Behind Bars. These words mean a lot to me, especially right now. If you’re feeling worried, you’re not alone. I’m scared, too! But you also have courage – we all do. What gives me courage is my love for young people like you, and my strength is using words to break walls of hate and build bridges of hope. I’d rather live a short life and speak up for you than live long and stay silent. Find out what gives you courage; don’t let fear steal it. Focus on your strengths; use them wisely and well. Have the courage to learn how to tell lies from truth; to listen to wisdom even when it makes you uncomfortable; to take care of others; to stand up for what is right, with respect and responsibility and strength and stubbornness; to keep dreaming and working for your dreams to come true, and when they do, because they will, have the courage to dream a new dream of love.

Padma Venkatraman; The Bridge Home

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Filed under: Creators