Thread by @Ebonyteach

It's hilarious to read ridicule #onhere about studying children's stories and/or fairy tales and fantasy. Have seen a few of these takes; will not amplify.

Those of us in these subfields hear this all the time. We are quite used to it. We get the shade from our colleagues, too.

"It's just a children's story." The same stories that the Republicans are doing their best to ban? That they're building their 2024 electoral case by manufacturing outrage around them?

Be for real. 🤣😂

Another time, I'll talk about the recent interest in the speculative and "futurity" within my tenure field, education.

I've been around for a while. And, I'm actually not throwing shade or being nasty here. Just observing! I find it all so very interesting.

I'm fortunate that I've had incredible mentors who help me put all things into perspective, screw my head on straight, and who have carved out space for me to do my work... while being relatively unbothered.

But it's funny! I just chuckle to myself and scroll on.

Oh, and a book project I've been working on for 15 years is about... how to depict slavery in children's stories. I've spoken about that one around the country, and written academic articles about it.

Yes, we actually DO need people to think about this.

livestream.com/schomburgcente…

Many of us in the field have written theses and books on children's lit. I'm not the only one who can speak about these topics; I'm just loud.

There's a Scandinavian folktale about a little girl who drinks from a cup of forgetfulness. That's how these cyclical conversations go.

tl;dr - No social phenomenon is unworthy of study and critique. And there's always someone out there who's thought about that very thing you think is silly and obvious for a long time.

Including children's stories.