RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – On the heels of a tumultuous year rocked by the pandemic and protests against racial injustice, a Richmond mother has published a children’s book that uplifts and celebrates the diversity of Black and brown communities.
Throughout the year, there were many difficult moments and conversations in different households. For Latasha Woods and her family, her young daughters had many questions about racial injustice and their physical appearance.
Woods’ daughters, Serenity, Trinity, and Destiny, all range in age from 4 to 12 and each have different shades of beautiful brown skin. She said they started asking questions about their differences after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor last year.
Woods’ 12-year-old daughter, Destiny, suddenly wondered what it meant for her life as a young black girl living in America. She said Ms. Woods didn’t show the girls all of the news, but she explained to them what was happening during dark moments in American history.
“The question I had was, ‘Can I go to the store without getting shot or seen because of my dark skin?'” They pictured themselves on a chalkboard in the playground. Destiny said, standing between her sisters under the mural. “It really hurt.”
Woods’ middle daughter Trinity, 7, started asking questions about her skin color, which sparked more conversations about race and culture at home.
“I just prayed and said, ‘God, please give me something to encourage them during this time,'” Woods said.
What started as a poem about self-love for my daughters turned into a larger project.
“I started writing poems so they could recite them, so they could counteract any images or thoughts they might have had about their skin color in the first place. You can do it,” Woods said. “It was just a blessing to see them embrace poetry.”
She came up with the idea of writing a children’s book called “My beautiful brown skin bursts with melanin.” The illustration features all three of her daughters. The characters are named after their middle names: Grace, Faith, and Joy. The book celebrates their different characteristics, from hair texture to skin color.
Every time you turn the page, it’s a gentle reminder of what’s special about it.
“When I was little, I was bullied because of the color of my skin,” Woods said. She acknowledged that in her past experiences there were issues of colorism throughout the black community. She said, “I think we need to talk about it more.”
“I don’t say colorism in this book, but this book is about combating that mentality and celebrating our differences,” she said.
Woods hopes her new children’s book will empower black and brown boys and girls around the world. She is already a positive influence on her daughters.
“I feel so good, you know,” Woods said of her daughters walking around the house and complimenting each other, saying, “My beautiful brown skin is bursting with melanin.” “I thought it was real,” he said, his face brightening. .
“I love this message because she wants us to know that our skin is beautiful,” Trinity Woods said.
“I’m so happy to be a part of this beautiful message to our sisters,” Destiny Woods said.
Woods is signing two books at Utopia Spa, 1401 Roseneath Road, Richmond, Virginia.
The first event will be Friday, May 7th from 5-8 p.m. The second session will be held on Saturday, May 8th from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The book “My Melanin Pops Out on My Beautiful Brown Skin” will be released on Amazon on Saturday.
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