Written by: Bell Hooks
So, I choose this book because I recently found out in another class that the work 'nappy' should not be used by those individuals who do NOT have nappy hair themselves. However, if you have 'nappy' hair then you are allowed to use the term. I found this very... 'interesting' and somewhat confusing. I had never heard that before. This book sends out a message to its reader that who you are as an individual is wonderful and that you should be happy with your physical appearance. What's wrong with that message? I personally think it's wonderful. However the message of the book is not the part that is considered controversial, the word 'nappy' is. Due to the fact that I just discovered that the word nappy was controversial in itself, I am having a difficult time understanding why it's controversial. Has the word nappy once been referred to in a negative way? I suppose unless something comes to my attention that I hadn't previously known, I wouldn't mind having this book in my classroom library. For now I see no reason for it not to be. In addition, I fell in love with the illustrations throughout the book. They are bright, playful, and created with water color. They definitely grabbed my attention and made this book memorable.
Hi Katie!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that 'nappy' isn't necessarily a term that most people grow up hearing as wrong. However, the negativity associated with this word was only brought to my attention a couple years ago when that infamous radio host called a women's basketball team a vulgar term with the phrase 'nappyheaded' in it. Then I learned that nappy is an offensive term, like you said, when said by members of the white race. I didn't read this book, but I also think that it sends a positive message that you should be proud to be 'nappy' but maybe some people just prefer that this word stays out of vocabulary altogether. If that is the case, then I think that no one should use the term no matter the skin color.
Katie H.
I also read this book but chose not to blog about it because I could not figure out why it was considered controversial. I agree that the pictures are amazing. The message, that it is okay to be yourself and not try to change the way you look is also great for children of any age. I would definitely put this book in my classroom and take the chance of a parent complaining. I think that it is ridiculous that the word "nappy" cannot be used by someone without nappy hair. I could see if it were an insult but if it were just used in a statement, then it should not be a problem. I guess I would have to look into the history of the word more thoroughly.
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