Time to make her mark. Today is the first day of kindergarten and MJ is ready.
She puts on her adorable jean dress with the red and white polka dot capped sleeve blouse. Momma did her hair last night so she looks good. So good that her Momma thinks MJ just stepped off the cover of a magazine as Momma sets a sparkly tiara on MJ's head.
What does a queen of kindergarten do when she goes to her first day of kindergarten? Well...once MJ gets to school she gives her teacher, Miss Lovingood, a book for the classroom - and that book is none other than CROWN: ODE TO THE FRESH CUT. (If you look behind MJ's head on the bookcase there's another book you might recognize - I AM EVERY GOOD THING.)
I know this book will sell widely and be popular in many classrooms but honestly, I am here to say MJ deserved better.
MJ is more than her dress and her hair and a tiara (her own fresh cut.) MJ is more than being helpful and caring about the feelings of others.
Baby, MJ came to school to learn - to fill that bright, strong, smart head of hers with the building blocks of education that will help her rise - rise above old pathways - rise to reach all the possibilities the world holds for her -whether she has on a cute dress or not.
Jump rope is fun and fine but it's amazing to me that this author who created a book to empower a young Black boy - well, it's amazing to me that in this story MJ didn't get to stand in that same light, in that same space, where she would see how important learning is to her and to her future.
Her first day of kindergarten is her doorway. She belongs here. She has what it takes. Learn MJ. Take it all in. There is treasure in this classroom for you..in learning. You deserved better, MJ. A whole lot better.
Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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