In March, The Atlantic article "What Happens When a Slogan Becomes the Curriculum" by Conor Friedersdorf discussed an Evanston school district’s usage of Not My Idea in their Black Lives Matter at School curriculum.
In May, Representative Steve Toth (R, TX) sent Not My Idea to all 83 of his Republican colleagues as bait and justification for passing Texas House Bill 3979, which limits what can be taught in public schools about the United States’ history of subjugating people of color.
Anastasia Higginbotham and writer Conor Friedersdorf discussed the inclusion of Not My Idea in curriculum for The Atlantic on June 5th.
On the July 6th episode of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, guest Christopher Rufo targeted Not My Idea in his crusade against teaching Critical Race Theory. A subsequent article by Rufo appeared in The New York Post on July 10th.
Not My Idea and Anastasia Higginbotham were the focus of recent segments on Fox News and Fox News Outnumbered.
In a July 14th profile of Tucker Carlson, The Washington Post described the outrage of one of Carlson’s guests over the use of Not My Idea in a Pennsylvania school.
From Anastasia Higginbotham, author of Not My Idea:
“I depict the system of Whiteness as the Devil in a children's picture book so kids can see what lies behind the outstretched hand promising belonging, safety, security, power, access, and permission.
The Devil is a myth and, in that myth, the Devil lies: land ownership is a lie, white-as-standard is a lie, white superiority is a lie, white innocence (as if we don't know something stinks here) is a lie, and every person born into this lie gets to unbury the truth and use it to get free.
No one's asking a kid to sign a contract like the one I drew in Not My Idea because it's already built and buried within every facet of our lives. Structural racism doesn't care about consent. The system of racism lies, steals, and commits murder and genocide in broad daylight. Our children are born into this mess, and need help understanding that racism was not their idea. They don't have to defend it. There is no safety inside this system, so we're un-making it.
Rather than comfort me against the onslaught of negative attention, or celebrate that I have pissed off the right people, notice how powerful the lies of whiteness are, the desperate clinging to the belief that we/white people are the GOOD ones; notice how we/white people (who invoke Christ and the innocence of children and call me a “c*nt”) fervently deny that we have been used, played, brainwashed, weak-minded, and weaponized. Hold this truth: Even as I get slimed in DMs and comment sections, the laws and culture still favor me and my white sons — pause on that — while the children, parents, grandparents, lovers, cousins, uncles, aunties, and every body of those who are beloved to me and Black, reckon with the same, unhinged racism that their ancestors faced. This is the same teeth-bared rage that horrified me when I watched Eyes On The Prize the first time, the same smiling “law and order“ policies by both parties who suppress votes and criminalize Blackness and remain in power. That is what leaves me shaking.
I know how to settle my body, thanks to Rev angel Kyodo williams and Resmaa Menakem, and I can always count on the love from those who are in this for the sake of our collective healing and liberation from white supremacy.
Let’s take this system apart, down to its rottenest, bloodiest, poisonous roots. Stay. Together. ”
AH
From Dottir Press, publisher of Not My Idea:
States across the country have proposed or passed legislation to ban “critical race education” in schools and universities, part of a broader campaign to discredit the concept of racism and its impact on US history, past and present. They've targeted Ibram X. Kendi, the 1619 Project and Nikole Hannah-Jones—as well as the Dottir Press book Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness and author Anastasia Higginbotham.
Not My Idea is a sincere look at racial hierarchies—usually unspoken—that exist in America, and that kids notice. This gentle-but-honest book helps white children see how white people have been socialized to see themselves as outside of conversations about race, and powerless to do anything about racism. It’s written for children, so it is simple enough for adults to understand, if they are curious and open to new ideas.
When the book was published in 2018, Jacqueline Woodson (winner of virtually every major lit award) called it “the perfect beginning” for “white folks who aren’t sure how to talk to their kids about race.” School Library Journal deemed it “a much-needed title that provides a strong foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism, particularly for young audiences. Recommended for all library collections.”
Dottir Press stands with Anastasia Higginbotham, with the advocates working tirelessly to oppose legislation like HB3979, and with the educators and librarians doing the necessary work to challenge their students and begin conversations about racism. We support their strategy of curiosity, reading, and truth-telling as a route to reconciliation.
7/12/21 Press Release - Not My Idea Misused As Tool in Anti-CRT Crusade
Some Sprouts You Can Plant
Tweet or Instagram a note of support to Anastasia (@ahigginbooks) <3
Subscribe to Anti-Racism Daily for updates related to anti-CRT legislation
Experience the book in its entirety read by the author. When it comes to whiteness, the experience you most need to understand is your own. The people you most need to talk to are your own family members.
Purchase a copy of Not My Idea to send to your local, state, or federal representative along with your support for anti-racist education
To interview Anastasia Higginbotham, contact publicity@dottirpress.com
Press materials available at https://tinyurl.com/NotMyIdea-MediaKit