This Book is Anti-Racist Response

I found "This Book is Anti-Racist" to be moving and sending a good message to individuals of all ages. Being a Youth Development major and someone who works with kids, I find great importance in teaching children that it's okay to be different starting at a young age.  I think "This Book is Anti-Racist" would be a great passage to read to children because it can teach them to embrace their own characteristics, as well as the lesson of treating everyone with kindness.  

I also like how the author brings up a very broad range of identities and characteristics. From race, to religion, to sexual orientation, to how you wear your hair, you are you and that is all that matters.  The author mentions that people will try to fit you into an "imaginary box."  Our society is set up in a way where individuals are expected to try and fit in.  The author is trying to convey the message that individuality is important and we should not feel pressured to conform to society's standards. "This Book is Anti-Racist" sends a powerful message to children and adults alike about identity, labels, and community.  

Connection: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

I chose this as my connection because when I read "This Book is Anti-Racist" I focused on the "self-love" aspect in the passage.  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" has always resonated with me (so much so that I have a tattoo of it!) because I find that the author is trying to convey that no matter what you look like or what changes you go through, you will always be beautiful.  In the story, the caterpillar goes through some evolvements and changes and, in the end, comes out as a "beautiful butterfly." This ties back to "This Book is Anti-Racist" because I found that the author was trying to convey the message that no matter what, it is important to love ourselves, so I found these books to be very similar.