There's so much talk of representation in politics and entertainment - it's everywhere - but I didn't realize representation was important until really my senior year of high school.
Interpretation
Representation in politics and entertainment becomes truly significant when one understands its impact on identity and empowerment.
Tomi Adeyemi expresses a personal realization regarding the importance of representation in both politics and entertainment, emphasizing that this awareness often develops through educational experiences. Her statement reflects a journey of understanding how representation influences perceptions, self-image, and the broader societal narrative around identity and diversity, particularly during formative years like high school.
In practice
In a discussion panel about diversity in media, this quote could highlight the need for more authentic representation.
I want a little black girl to pick up my book one day and see herself as the star. I want her to know that she's beautiful, and she matters, and she can have a crazy, magical adventure even if an ignorant part of the world tells her she can never be Hermione Granger.
You're never wasting your time as long as you learn from every single thing you do, whether you feel like those attempts are successful or not.
The power of fantasy is that you can make people understand the deeper realities of our world in a way that they wouldn't normally be able to because of all the things in our world that closes them off.
For readers of color, and especially black readers, black girls, I just want them to feel seen. And not just seen - I want them to feel epic and know that they are epic.
I had a lot of different reasons for writing the book, but at its core was the desire to write for black teenage girls growing up reading books they were absent from. That was my experience as a child. 'Children of Blood and Bone' is a chance to address that. To say you are seen.
What's demanded from us black creatives is both a blessing and a curse, because it pushes you to be your absolute best. You cannot be anything less.
Avoid demonizing television, computer games, and new technologies. Electronic media may compete for kids' attention, but we're not going to get kids reading by badmouthing other entertainment. Admit that TV and games can do things books can't.
The taste for books was an early one. As a child he was sometimes found at midnight by a page still reading. They took his taper away, and he bred glow-worms to serve his purpose. They took the glow-worms away and he almost burnt the house down with a tinder.
If you just do something, then you're a five-year wonder and, goodbye, you're gone. But if people feel it's worthwhile, not only do they copy but they want to learn how to do it To me, that's what it's all about. If someone were to ask me, 'What's the number one thing, in essence, that you left behind?' It was the teaching of others so that they could take my work and take it further.
Reading to children at night, responding to their smiles with a smile, returning their vocalizations with one of your own, touching them, holding them - all of these further a child's brain development and future potential, even in the earliest months.
Language is an art, like brewing or baking.... It certainly is not a true instinct, for every language has to be learnt.
Instructors should not only be skilful in those sciences which they teach, but have skill in the method of teaching, and patience in the practice.
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