Tell Me Sweet Little Lies: Racism, Bias, Confirmation, and the Disinformation Epidemic – Featuring Nicole A Cooke, PhD

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Harry Brake

Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of Dr. Cooke’s presentation is what I thought I knew, and how much I had not fully realized – then it came to me, being in the School of Information – wasn’t that a constant, ongoing process we see in the societies around us every day?

Breaking down the differences between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation was a great great start. I honestly did not differentiate these, at least to my knowledge.

In looking at the goals of malinformation, which was to deliberately misleading, realizing it could be harmful, and which could lead to arrests and fall under criminalized activity seemed pretty on target with what I imagined and gravitated towards as a definition. What I did not realize were the subtle examples that were around me every single day that went unnoticed and unrecognized. When looking at the advertising of what was considered “unprofessional hair” and seeing countless examples of women of color depicted as unprofessional, compared to that of white women more than not depicted as professional, and recognizing the “Sweet Brown” meme often used, it was pretty obvious to see this as a version of digital black face,

The images of ads that featured Lebron James as King Kong saving women, as well as the way Serena Williams depicted as someone possessed and ape-like, the image spoke 1000 words when accompanied with this simple truth. It was easy to see the repeat pattern when Arab/Muslims are portrayed as violent killers, often also put into the same category as unfair transgender depictions. This means it is so easy fro public to apply the transgender position to individuals to someone who is not even transgender, simply as so large a public applies norms they have become used to hearing and seeing, to any and all individual that fits that category in their mind. It is quite shocking how powerful media has been able to influence so many in that aspect with the use of images and what I was unfamiliar with as digital blackface.

It was also interesting in seeing the depiction of Michael Brown as the media wanted too portray him, usually without a suit or would they have been able to portray him the same way as he appeared in a suit? Or ANYONE for that matter? it is quite easy to see how malinformation in this format caused fearmongeering, and how many unlikely connections easily go so wild so quickly.

With today’s vaccine current state, the misconceptions of past beliefs, how it was believed higher medical professions believed individuals of color had higher pain thresholds for pain, and how this affected the treatment of individuals, and showing the aspect of cultural competence (or incompetence). This was a powerful tool and lesson in light of current situations we may or may not find ourselves relating too, yet the presence and existence of this still occurring around us.

Relative to this recent has been the recent Kate and Harry interview, showing a progression from the UK. In this recent interview, the progression seeing in tabloids – headlines carrying and depicting a Megan from a point of simply emotional/crying to the point of wanting to give up on life, there are distinct parallels to the life of Princess Diana. All one has to do is follow the nature and history of the UK tabloids and you recognize the glaring similarities, and yet reactions to Harry and Megan have been quite different at times until a climbing point of release with this recent interview was conducted.

Seeing the graphic image of a sign in Scotland misrepresent information itself, in just the Kill a White on Sight sight, easily convinces those that this is the carrying cry of Black Lives Matter, when in reality, 93% of Black Lives Matter individuals were peaceful after George Floyd, and how quickly associated those individuals portraying themselves as Black Lives Matter had nothing to do with the actual movement or group, yet e never hear on the news, at the time, that reality. When examining the virtual cams and news that occur after curfew, you do find the majority of individuals tying themselves to BLM when in reality, they are not at all., Especially when violent actions occur, and then these actions are tied to BLM.

The tie to the name of the Covid 19 breakout, now being attributed to anyone of Chinese descent brings back worse days of the U.S. past. Mainly with the attribution of Japanese internment. I never even realized there was a group with the name of Stop AAPI Hate and we hear so little about organizations such as this.

It was also revealing when we looked back at the South Pacific musical seeped into these stereoptypes of malinformation, and spend more time being proactive on how incorrect past and current stereotypes can be so detrimental to others, often coming to us with no effort at all. Correcting and not accepting is often the largest hurdle towards change for sure. The critical conversations we are willing to have, instead of simply discussing the presence of these stereotypes, does indeed make all the difference.

I had never heard of Gloria Ladson Billings, but loved the quote associated with her, “We teach what we research.” I do think this mantra could help inform and awaken minds and eyes of current students, as future citizens., It is obvious through the media and through the visual how we are conditioned to value whiteness and Christianity at the sacrifice of other groups that do not fall into these categories but our perceptions. The tribal categorization of placing those into an “other” category does indeed, have its consequences.

I loved the referral to the brown doll versus the white doll test, and felt this point was driven home with the above and current moments we find ourselves in history. This falls right in line with the day after the Dr Martin Luther King assassination, and Jane Elliott’s Brown Eye test.

Kelly Marie Tran’s quote, “It wasn’t their words their words, it’s that I started to believe them.” brought back the amazing pushback she received on social media to the fact that many believed, and stated, and eventually pushed her off social media, that Star Wars had no places foe anyone of Asian descent.

As we are bombarded with stereotypes daily, consciously and unconsciously, the case of implicit bias, assigning bias based on beliefs assigned to / about groups, it is easy to see where microaggressions related to racial slights are on the increase.

In discussing the differences between gaslighting and racelighting, the importance of information literacy has never been more important before, EVER. I immediately saw the spaces where school librarians are being “excused” out of their value and positions in society, amid allowing the stop of information literacy to be presented to massed. This allows the critical literacy to fall by the wayside, and mass individuals can assign context that leads to meaning in a vacuum so much more, and so easily.

When this much is able to happen, all happen so much more without context, the misconstrued actions resulting from misconstrued perceptions grow, and grow, and grow to become a reality for so many. One of the countless ways is the fact that individuals of color are needed in the very professions that are often marginalized, the news, the medical fields, librarianship, obviously the news, and to me, it is not huge coincidence that current librarianship is still dominated by white women, and yet very few individuals of varying race and color are even encouraged into this field. Personally, when the role of a school librarian itself is being marginalized due to a host of countless reasoning, how much easily is it to apply to the areas of race, religion, news, and more? The information literacy that is and has been represented via school librarians, as it disappears, is often replaced with the beliefs individuals feel comfortable with, not the realities that exist in the world today.

One of the most powerful aspects of Dr. Cooke’s presentation was the vividness and the acute clarity of the images she utilized during her presentation. I purposely left out the images so you can compare tomorrow, once I compile these, how much the visual plays a role in the above content, which is a priceless and valuable topic we need to have represented vis discussion, day in and day out amid so much disbelief being accepted today. Easy, so easy to do, without school librarianship to challenge popular beliefs today, often leading to actions we never would have thought of/ just like the realities we are not challenged on as a result. Dr. Cooke’s presentation for these reasons and so many more!

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Bearing to Carry, the Ray of Light We Need Most Right Now – Creativity – Bringing the Raybearer Into Focus

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Harry Brake

Jordan Ifueko, as a debut author, featured as Delaware’s Festival of Words author on March 4th was different than many have experienced in a long time. Within minutes of starting, all participants were knee deep into discovering what it meant to create a world. With the flip of a few ideas, Ms. Ifueko was able to involve student moderator Katie Payne (She did AWESOME!) and librarian Carrie Simpson (excellent job!) and FOW director Andrea Rashbaum (HUGE KUDOS FOR ALL THIS!) into 2 worlds of where Velociraptors, society roles, ruling classes, power, a land called Katyborg, apricots, antagonists, protagonists, and more all coexisted and were created in the first 10 minutes of this session.

It is amazing what can happen when give a slight push, given a few starters, and worlds begin to become a reality. This beginning exercise let us peek into the way that Jordan Ifueko operated as a bearer of tales older than time.

So much investment was put into the novel The Raybearer as we began to find out.

Ms Ifueko noted about the main character, what she wants is her mother, that is her obvious primal need, that sense of security and led wanted from a parent, something every individual can find a tie to. It was reassuring to hear Ifueko reinforce that all should be encouraged to experience moments, and they will find there is always another layer that can bee peeled back.

Ms. Ifueko went on to relate that she had been homeschooled from the very beginning, and had started writing at age 13. When they moved to Oregon, she attended a public school for the very first time, testing into 10th grade, her graduating class was a total of – 17! It was interesting for her to realize how small this was yet amazed at how much a small group that did all things together, due to the number, could do so much! A common purpose often was identified through such a small group, and you should start to see parallels to a council of siblings that resemble the Raybearer foundation. Even if separated from each other, a sense of pain and departure is felt, and I am sure this existed for the novelist in the real world in many similar situations with the transition from home school to a public school /social setting with such a small number, some carry over would be expected.

Jordan Ifueko went on to note that some authors will say, as long as the world rules and systems make sense, the individual relationships do not have to be that deep, however, you will find and note, as Ms. Ifueko also acknowledged, those are NOT the books she believes in writing! In the end, a young girl who finds her place in an empire, all stems from a girl who wants a hug from her mother – and again, some common connections could be easily made outside of the pages of Raybearer to many readers.

Ifueko went on to encourage everyone that if they are interested in writing and journaling, do not be afraid to journal about what you want, what you are afraid to look forward to, and realizations you make along the way.

“YA adults have an appeal because the coming of age is an important part of everyone’s lives” and the author emphasized you do not have to always think your life will begin at a later date, your life, just as the author, offers so much now, be it a book, an event, or shaping the world for the better.

When asked about her Inspiration – she mentioned so much new fantasy – N K Jemisin, The Broken Earth trilogy, with the presence of the omniscient narrator mixed with a limited third person and even a 2nd person point of view. The ability to switch can be confusing, but has amazing results to conclude her books!

Ms. Ifueko also mentioned Tiffany Jackson – who often writes as an “unreliable narrator”, leaves things out until the last couple paragraphs who often leaves elements out of the last couple paragraphs, of her whole story, which often also causes much surprise and shock!

You begin to see a pattern here of authors that use creativity and the element of surprise to the max, to really “shake things up” in the literacy world, and when talking to Jordan Ifueko, one does not get the idea she is all about doing what everyone does, hence why her debut novel is so notoriously publicized!

When looking at the Raybearer – it is easy to see the creation and idea needed to be a blend of cultures, Western Africa /Nigera, and brining into perspective how often other countries do the dictating of another country, and this is a chance to represent a country from the inside out, not the outside in.

Ms. Ifueko’s hope was was continue to be inviting readers to be a part of the story – and the Griots played a huge part in that, where they memorize generations and generations of history (this reminded me of the novel, The Giver. She found she was able to twist African mythology a bit, and she did a ton of research to set up accurate accounts of history to enfold the characters.

Again, it is obvious in the past colonizers have made the majority of stories, which is never really the accurate or fair story of a country or people. The Raybearer pulls back that tale and replaces colonized accounts with more traditional, historical histories.

Due to colonizers stories having take the forefront, many individuals are in the dark about amazing attractions such as the Walls of Benin found in Nigera. It is about time we unearth the true stories and the true beauty of countries through original stories, and the Raybearer enables that power given to the reader.

When asked if the role of redemptor still mainly follow the story of Tarisai, Ms Ifueko stated that was a part of it. She compared The Raybearer to the story of Jumanji. She noted there was a budding romance with Winn, of Songland, how Kira obtains this fascination with Songland, she needs to know things – she gets attracted to information about Songland and needs to know EVERYTHING about it, yesterday!

There was a great reflection on what we pick up from reading. The more we read, the more when we write we also put down alot of what we have picked up through osmosis from the reading we have done! The upside is the more we read the more possibilities, styles, and techniques that begin to mash that can affect and influence us as writers, the downfall is that we might be picking up norms for ourselves that might be dominantly from another culture we have absorbed so much of! It was noted how interesting how the influence of status quo has on us as readers from what and how much we read.

And yes there will be more! Book #2, Redemptor, will be coming out in August and there MIGHT be a chance to snag a net galley, so keep your eyes on author Jordan Ifueko for your chance!

When asked what is next for the young author, she detailed the idea of a magical world set in New Orleans – a protagonist much different that Tarisai  – a little more jaded. We are interested for sure in seeing how Jordan Ifueko sees all around her and how she will continue to develop truths we could all be better for realizing !

You can find more on Jordan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanifueko/?hl=en, and her recommendations to protect your love of storytelling and read A LOT, as well as defend your love of writing bear the light that can make a change!

Favorite authors ? Yes! – she mentioned Charlotte Bronte, and an interesting concept. She mentioned a teacher that made her take out all nouns and adjectives, and put in all her own. Going back to noticing the style you read, as a writer, you begin to notice the distinct style of a author when you do that specifically and put your own nouns and adjectives around the pronouns and style of that particular author!

One final standout, it was so interesting, maybe one of the most unique observations, that in looking at the world of Narnia, how interesting of a perspective it was that English children, find their way to Narnia, and basically have this world waiting just for them, to rule, not even sharing a culture or belief system of the world that was there before them. I see someone being able to take out that specific Narnia concept, and being able to replace with Jumanji, colonization of Britain over Africa, and countless other historical events where the native story has been clouded by a foreign story. The original story laying behind the layers is often the most interesting, and that is exactly what you will find in Jordan Ifueko’s Raybearer. We are excited about tonight’s books discussion about all of this and more!

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“Sitting Right Across from an Author”

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Harry Brake

On March 2nd, Catherine Ryan Hyde‘s visit with readers of her book “Have You Seen Luis Velez?” created quite an awakening and set of realizations about the world around us. One of the attendees stated it was as if “She was sitting right across the living room in a chair from her” and certainly, either from the warmth of her book or from the laid back, relaxed style that Ms. Hyde brought to the author session, it was not difficult to see how easy so much just seemed to come to her as an author.

We were very lucky to be participants of such a great book and episode. As tonight is the book discussion of Have You Seen Luis Velez?, thanks to Delaware Festival of Words, we reflect on the take aways she provided as an author:

Ms Hyde emphasized that events over lifetime have helped shape her as well as what has come out onto the page. Her creative process was often irregular compared to others, quite independent of what authors might say is a system that works for them. Truly the events that have been occurring around her influenced what we see in her deeply moving publications.

In formulating the origins of Have You Seen Luis Velez, she mentioned she has imagined parts for a long time, a run down apartment and bad neighborhood, a youngish boy, an older woman, and yes, a cat. When we asked her about the importance of the cat she made a very good point, had the cat not existed in the plot, then the young character might not have ever had the link to the neighbor that began a spiraling connection of events that pushed the two through the remainder of the book.

Connecting back to what inspired her to write, she mentioned that as of late, she has been watching the way she felt society going – which to her obviously was not being happy about where society was going, and led her to think of the things that might be going wrong.

I liked the fact /comment made that too many people have this mindset we are good people – even when one of us does something terrible, forgivable, the fact is that they are dangerous, when they do such an act – – and that leads to the proof of a tribalism. We versus a they, they being dangerous, an US being better than a they– and indeed, it does seem that there is too much of this in the world today.

It was worth noting the author did not think she could solve this problem, but at the very least she could get people to talk about this issue and that would be a starting point.

In ties/connections to the novel on a person novel, she reflected that other than her being half Jewish – only one of her grandparents she knew, her maternal grandmother come to the U.S. from Germany/slash Poland and never had been really in danger as she was  not born until 1955. In high school she has watched the documentary, Night and Fog and she still today remembers sitting through the whole movie horrified at the atrocities of what the allies has found when encampments had been liberated from World War II. It was worthy of her noting when you have a book that is capable of combining several cultures, you have the opportunity to see or know one culture from the inside out is so helpful and such a benefit.

Hyde’s comment about in fiction it is about turning up the volume to make a more interesting read occurs often in her novel, especially in Have You Seen Luis Velez?

When asked if she researches for her books, she did state she does but as you would have guessed, it depends on the book, she is able to do light research, write, and then go back and see if any mistakes were made based on the research she conducted.

She did view a book she is now working on, a coming of age story taking place during 1941-1942 – the main character realizing he is gay at an inconvenient time and place, also connected to three best friends, one being Japanese. Obviously, being during 1941-1942 also causes its chare of issues with the culture and conflict that was occurring in the United States at the time.

In elaborating on the authoring and editing process, she relayed how an agent reads the draft first, then editor, then a developmental editor, then copy editor, then 2 proofreaders and a sensitivity reader. Although many might not be familiar with a sensitivity reader, as there was not usually this position, it is interesting how in today’s climate, this is part of the process.

We discussed the issue of writing about someone you are not and she did feel it is okay to write about someone you are not –BUT IT HAS TO BE CORRECT and not taking liberties that fall far from the actual portrayal, as we brought up the controversy surrounding the book American Dirt.

Ms Hyde went on to mention that on the surfaces we have a lot of differences, but underneath that, you get a really universal experience- basically a human being is someone who wants safety, love and be loved, which is a shared experience almost everyone wants, and those are the areas we should focus on to connect us as a community.

Many readers has questions, one being the situation of the character Raymond being possibly asexual, as his sexuality was not really an asset when slight mentions of characters showing an interest in him. I loved that Ms. Hyde’s responses was that people have false ideas about this topic, and honestly, no one would have questioned his sexuality if he had appeared more responsive to his sexual characteristics, either, a good point. She did mention that, that was not a key factor or topic for Raymond as a character – as the other values and important details were with his relationship and motivation with other characters. This also allowed Raymond to have the freedom and chance to have a better understanding of who he was as a character.

Another reader asked if this was a model of a hero’s journey, unconsciously. It was interesting to note it was a journey of self discovery and the author noted this was first time she had nine characters with the same first and last name!

As an author, she did not realize until she was into the story how the other characters would be disappointed that they were not the Luis Velez that Raymond was looking for. Focusing back on the cat as a character, seeing Raymond finding and befriending the cat in an abandoned building, buying food himself, and saving /protecting the cat tells you all you need to know about Raymond.

Again, the question arises, I\if it had not been for the cat – how would they have taken the step into friendship ? The answer is doubtful. For the cat’s sake Raymond will show up at the door – that was the key that opened the lock for the door. However I thought before the cat, Raymond had the inclination to help his neighbor, so I was not 100% sold on the above fact.

When asked about how arriving at the name Luis Velez – Ms Hyde stated she needed definitely the name to be Hispanic, a name easy to remember, easy to pronounce, and she had obtained the idea from a Frasier show – closely tied to the name Lupe Velez – so again – taking aspects from the world around her! She mentioned she will hear names and they will just click. She again reiterated that she did not worry how others are doing it in developing their plot and details, she relied on what worked for her, and writers should rely on what works for them!

In mentioning the concern for the world around her – she referred to Trayvon Martin – the acquittal – bothered her – the an incident again where an older man (Michael Dunn) killed a younger man (Jordan Davis) over the music – the penalization does not bring the young man back – and she continued to be troubled by the stand your ground laws as she continued to see such troubling events all around her.

She stated it is important to question How do you write an ending that is what everyone will talk about?

When asked Why New York?, she mentioned she was more inclined to writing settings in small towns, rural settings, and occasionally approached big cities. However, in Have You Seen Luis Velez?, you have to live in a place large enough with so many people named Luis Velez – which was pretty true!

When asked How long does a character stay with you?, she stated Not as long as you think – she had to switch gears as she is on a 2 book a year to be written / published schedule – it would be a problem if you could not get out of the last book – as she would not be able to separate one book from another regarding the separate plots, characters, etc..

When asked is Ms. Hyde deemed herself successful, she said yes, by her definition. She is able to do what she loves and not having to stop what she does for a living! Since being a sophomore in high school, she liked the idea of being an author, and if you did not know, she was the author of Pay It Forward! I loved realizing this after reading this book as I did not know before and yet- it makes sense! I also loved the fact that she did not particular like the idea of anything having to go to movies, as it meant less to her as being able to write meaningful books. She hoped to get Payitforward into more schools and we discussed how books like Pay It Forward, and Wonder, make a difference to readers, youth authors like Jerry Craft and the ideas we discover in Have You Seen Luis Velez?

If interested in a connection to discussing, reading, and developing possibilities of Have You Seen Luis Velez? into a Kindness Program, Ms Donna Carter, from the Greenwood Library is helping develop this idea among Sussex County – a theme that is desperately possible and needed across the world! Excited for tonight’s book discussion!

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The Rights to Diversity Part I.

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Harry Brake

The optimism that author Jewell Parker Rhodes carried with her, despite the constant roadblocks of discrimination, racism, and derogatory reactions to controversial topics was amazing.

That was the predominant nature of someone who is able to stand up for what is what, and although I have not had the chance to dive into Black Brother, Black Brother yet, it was amazing how author Jewell Parker Rhodes opened the pages of her life to those who attended her author session through Delaware’s Festival of Words on March 1st.

Without a doubt her youthfulness captured the momentum of overcoming adversity, and it was obvious Jewell Parker Rhodes had seen alot of the latter.

Let’s dive right in shall we?

The images of the darker skinned brother, Dante, roaming the streets and the WAY that Jewell Parker Rhodes recreated the chanting as she read aloud to the attendees, it breathed life into her writing that she was attempting to bring out, and bring it out she did.

She went on to mention the power of self-conscious dialogue – and if we take time out to really think about that, I think we all can come up with some examples of how that type of dialogue from a character resonates to who we are as invidiauls.

She did mention how her family inspired many of the events that occurred in this book, as well as focusing the school to prison pipeline that unfortunately occurs so often in today’s society.

From her 30 years experience of raising interracial children, a wealth of wisdom, insight, and moments have filler her lifer and hence, the book Black Brother, Black Brother. She detailed being specifically called from the Boston school when her son was just moody of a day, she found him pacing pacing and simply being told, that the school would call the police the next time there was a “disruption: of his being upset, nothing more than being unsettled as a teenager.

I loved her statement that race as a myth, as the ties between so many individuals often defy separating people by race and often lead to isolation. Her discovery years and years later after history classes that Alexandre Dumas (who was black) wrote so much about his father, who was a black count! She never knew that, (as The Three Musketeers were always depicted as white, and the fact that black fencing occurred!) that was never pointed out, while differences in other individuals based on color often were.

She often wondered, in looking at the sport of fencing, hence, based on Dumas’ work of The Three Musketeers, why that was considered an old, white, autocratic sport when many individuals of color participated in such. The wisdom and mantra she often passed on ” Be You, even if people can’t see you!” led into the idea of her book Ghost Boys, and led back to that realization of a school to prison pipeline that so often exists today.

She reflected that she had had pretty positive reactions to Ghost Boys as a publication, it had alot to do with the Black Lives Matter movement at the time, and she hoped readers felt the sense of empathy across all races that truly needs to be present, along with the sense of everyone loving a sense of history.

One of the shocking events was when she remarked on being the speaker at a Boston Globe article/presentation and the chat had to be disabled due to so many negative comments being made about her family – it is not shocking to know of this happening today but it was shocking to hear theis from such an inspirational author as Jewell Parker Rhodes.

She did go on to mention how many people went on to try and censor the book Ghost Boys, due to the content of Emmett Till being presented from his perspective. It is shocking realize how tragic events in history are wanting to be suppressed because of how people view each other under the umbrella of race and how important the issue of colorism is.

Certainly Jewell Parker Rhodes shocked many when she said she LOVED revision! Yes! She loved it but she had a great point, this is where the content and deep diving of what will make up the plot will start to reveal itself. She did state she did not write every day, she did not keep a journal, but that was her style and not everyone elses.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE – and yet we are running out of time – tonight is a book discussion at 4:30 PM, and this post will be continued in a day or so- once we can flesh out the amazing looks into her life that say alot about her current book, Black Brother, Black Brother!

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Marching Into Interactive Learning

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Harry Brake
https://www.arts.wa.gov/artwork/?request=record;id=1874;type=101

Today, the first time in 56 Years Blood Sunday celebrates without John Lewis, in an age where education can be perceived as monotonous, it is vital the opportunity to take advantage of the organizations and opportunities to expand the way we learn, and change learning, has never been more important that before. Accompanying the pandemic, there are many ironies and may individuals that will let these opportunities pass them by.

Others will not.

We celebrate those that have turned the pandemic into an opportunity to improve learning and push back against those that do not or refuse to improve education for the future.

School librarians, an issue near and dear to my heart, are being let go in every state all over the country. Isn’t it ironic that individuals that perceive librarians of a thing from the past, and feel a collection of texts are no longer needed, are failing to see the opportunity to capitalize on the diverse skills a properly 21st Century trained librarian brings to a pandemic era in education, to connect, diversify, and open minds and eyes to be able to sift through a tangled misinformation age? Ironic. If ever there w as a position to move education past Industrial age organizational structure, it is the 21st Century Library Media Specialist – many individuals and institutions fail to see the need to justify the required legislation of a licensed librarian in every school often unknown to parents and community members. As a result, educational opportunities suffer more in relying on an already overworked faculty staff – again, ironic.

Recognizing institutions and organizations that see books that connect to history and education are the best organizations to address misinformation. For 21 years, the Delaware Festival of Words has done just that – encouraged authors, parents, librarians, and teachers to open the word of reading, and pair literacy with history, technology, and the future and voila – misinformation does have a difficult time existing when an emphasis on an educated, thoughtful, and open-minded society is allowed a time and space to discuss how stories, legends, and history all play a role in our future.

Saturday, March 6 provided illustrator Nate Powell a chance to present his talents and how his contributions alongside Congressman John Lewis laid a defining moment for so many to follow. The March series, in all its poignant, distinct, and powerful plot outlining the Selma civil right march is yet one, of many vital elements of our history that graphic novels present a Narnia-like door to connecting United States history to wider issues that are right in our back yards every day.

Take-aways from this one on one with Nate Powell –

When meeting Nate Powell, attendees learned that the techniques behind the illustrations and schedules to be successful as an illustrator, and discussed his talent with Tornado Children. We discovered there are many many layers to being an illustrator as well as the “story illustrators are living inside of their heads” as Mr. Powell stated.

One of the other ironies is the lack of knowledge of the power graphic novels, as well as comics, in fact hold. Nate Powell went on to note the unique strength of comics, having the ability to empathize, the ability to be working in critical thinking as individuals are reading, cross referencing details throughout the book all while involved in the process of reading.

Other than graphic novels as being very accessible and an additional associated to reading, ideas, plot, judgements, and values are processed much faster and more immediate than found in prose.

Certainly the power of empathy, needed more more than ever, is presented in powerful doses in faster and shorter moments, and the fact that so much can be contained in graphic novels and comics is lost on such a larger population, it is quite surprising when discovered.

Mentioning that a disproportionate response has been resulting compared to relative modest gains in civil rights protections, revisiting the messages in March volumes, 1, 2, and 3 are always in style and appropriate, now more than ever.

Being able to pushback through legislation, as well as push back to violence as expressed in the March series is as powerful a tool as you could want for a healthy country.

The fact that Nate Powell emphasized, as a reader and seeing the ” camera” turned around to see a fist, see a crowd come out from the side of the page the reader finds him or herself, often times it puts the reader in the position of someone committing a crime, the power the illustrations in March have as an experience for the reader that can’t be found in other mediums.

Seeing action come from the camera, opr the reader’s side of the book hitting a young John Lewis was one of many gripping scenarios, as well as the reader being able to get a personal 1st person perspective.

It is well worth seeing how Nate Powell has taken the origins of interest in a Food not Bombs movement, and the the idea he has behind the project http://www.seemybrotherdance.org

Everything Nate Powell presented emphasized the fact that during a pandemic, it is much easier to sit back and be passive and convince yourself that is as much as you are capable of. However, fulfilling moment of changing the world around us, realizing each of us can play an active role, is found in the individuals who fight that passivity and simply March into making a difference every day, and changing the educational paradigm as we have known it.

Kudos to school librarians and Delaware Festive of Words to being two organizations that push back and show, the need for an open mind to expand opportunities that are just waiting to be connected to the world around us!


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Prefigurative Information Politics – Strategies for Survival, Resilience, and Liberation – An FSU talk with Dr. Amelia Gibson

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Harry Brake

Prefigurative Information Politics – Strategies for Survival, Resilience, and Liberation – Not THAT sounds complicated, when I first saw the title, I was  like ‘”Whoa!”  But the note that Dr. Amelia Gibson made, that we find ourselves being in a unique space- criticizing institutions we are a part of, and grappling with our own complicity – the struggles – personally, socially, and as a community that have surfaced are real.  It also was well noted that these struggles were always there, just brought to light more of late.  That was pretty powerful to realize, and usually would not come up in conversation unless you, me, everyone made time to just sit and discuss and consider, like we all used to be able to do in graduate school 🙂

I was taken back to the controversy at Chapel Hill with “Silent Sam” as Dr. Gibson referenced the conflicts and decisions that were made over that marker of so many things beyond the physical statue.  The topics of medical eugenics, and the issue of marginalization, totally different than the issue of poverty was am examination well worth the mention.

Dr, Gibson’s mention of Tania Sutherland’s work as well shows the extensions of her research and the depth that it took  Emphasizing the point that there is much in responsibility that we need to learn, especially when there are so many individuals that latch onto a protest or issue without knowing the full – all-sided facets of all involved, well pointed out on her  part.

The distinction of coercion versus compliance as well was a GREAT avenue to examine and discuss.  Touching on cancelling culture in the same area, tying to Meredith Clarke’s work, and encouraging individuals to be just that, individually question informational systems and institutions in lieu of these issues reinforced the research she was diving into.  I appreciated the specific look and research Dr. Gibson had taken on, but also took the time to share the importance of what at first seemed a very, above-my-head scope of research, and yet in so many ways surrounds each of us in our daily lives.

I loved the observation Dr. Gibson made that many people don’t seem to “have the capacity” to work through these contemplations, issues, and ultimately discussion on these important issues.  Many simply feel it is not worth their time to look outside of their own knowledge base, and I do see that as a major downfall and cause of so many divisions in so many.  The observation that the anger directed at collective institutions often backfires when the marginalized communities are impacted negatively as a result.  There are so many comments, points made without a thought process of the implications on the intricate communities that make up who we are as the United States, not just own own interests.

Certainly a strong point was there are so many people that are  willing to accept actions based on seeing that this is the only way, or thinking that is the only way a system works, or has worked. In education, I certainly see that as a downfall, not willing to see a different approach than has ever been attempted, even a different viewpoint and giving that viewpoint a chance to take a different turn, a different attempt at changing education slightly and seeing if there is a “better” that results.  It seems so difficult for us to get to that point as a nation.

I loved the ideas Dr. Gibson began to reference as far as resilience, “Black Girl Magic”, referring to Megan Stallion,  (the clip that Dr. Gibson showed was great), referring to Black Boy Joy, and the fact of how marginalized communities always have to maintain a heightened sense of awareness.  I do not think we discuss or come across this train of thought enough.

Certainly this says much but what many do not realize?  With the  removal and decline of school librarian positions in schools, it will become even more difficult to be guided to see two sides of every issue.  Dr. Gibson’s research was refreshing in that it reminded us there does need to be time taken to take more than we can see and feel, into deeper consideration.

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Including Inclusion When it is Needed Most at FSU

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Harry Brake

Friday 7:30 PM  Session on Inclusion

Dean Larry Dennis, co-anchored with Dr. Chanta Haywood, showed the exciting and relative initiative FSU had the foresight to take on the important issue of inclusion. Throughout the whole session, I kept thinking of the  traumatic events covered by news, and how FSU is a great microcosm of movement to approach this problem of inequality, diversity and representation.  Dean Dennis referred to Dale Carnegie’s text How to Win Friends & Influence People  (and there is an edition for the Digital Age too!) connecting the similarities that the only person you can control is yourself.

The process as described by Dr. Haywood showed her expertise in level by level, addressing the issues that were relevant to be addressed, recruiting staff, using collaborative research, finding grant funding, enhancing the curriculum to match set goals, finding the strategic and ways to teach to this goal.   In finding how to address the needs to create awareness and open-mindedness of addressing equality and diversity in an age where those actions are often overlooked, it is refreshing to see how a systematic approach was put into action and is deemed a priority to the FSU campus. It was emphasized the student experiences as well as alumni experiences helped shape the best steps forward in meeting the challenges the world outside of FSU poses.  From synthesizing and analyzing reports, definite objectives, common themes, barriers, and focus groups were created to make this successful.

I asked How has the virtual arena challenged students in still being part of this initiative? and stated  I think this initiative is a backbone of any institution and always in need.  Dean Dennis did acknowledge the key factor that makes all of this work was communication, communication, communication. 

From the virtual event we found ourselves in, to the amazing job Dr. Kazmer did in guiding everyone through this whole process, insights that came out of this thanks to all the aforementioned professionals, allow the virtual walls to be torn down and almost feel as if you are in the same room with the same concerns.  The takeaway is, no matter the vehicle of communication, remote, hybrid, in person, there are always issues and topics we all have an interest and say in, despite agreeing and disagreeing, the most important aspect is having a place at the table!

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FSU says Innovate, Innovate AWAY! From Hub to Field, FSU Takes the Field of Innovation!

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Harry Brake

Friday nights sessions from the Friends and Family Virtual Event would not disappoint, examining the Innovation Hub from 7:00 – 7:25 PM

Mc’s by Dr. Paul Marty FSU’s Innovation Hub was highlighting the numerous and exciting developments of technology happening there!  Dr. Ken Baldauf begins telling how starting in 1996, the Innovation Hub began and started off to probably where they had no idea where they would be now, the area is like being lost in Disney!   I liked the fact that he said it is an area of intersecting concepts.  That should be in every school library’s mission statement and he indeed stated how the mission statement was vital, especially to the Innovation Hub.

It was amazing to see the initial images of the space and how this space is being utilized currently.  Starting with 18 3D printer and now operating 40 printers, with services currently free to students, this is an amazing service and a place to learn and be amazed at the technology of 3d printers.  We have one larger one at the Library Media Center and it ceases to amaze students.  Additional tech that can be hands-on used is the  laser cutter, the programmable router/cutter, headsets for virtual reality,

Circuit board and robot development supplies, a developing recording studio, where all can begin to empathize, ideate, and build, as their mantra is seen all over the Hub. The applications manipulated in The Hub showed and extended to engaging social workers to help stretch the longevity of their careers (as you can imagine the turn-around rate is high due to the demands of the position), conducting virtual reality fairs, and now increasingly learning to earn badges to become an innovative scholar and recognized at graduation for such; all which shows built in assets that result from being IN the Innovation Hub, and what individuals can take OUT of the Hub. With the forum Teachers teaching Teaches and Paul Allison in New York with the concept of Badges, I see how over a wide spectrum the idea of badges can be used to increase the levels of challenge and creativity that can be found in technology, as well as in the Innovation Hub.  The use of post it notes almost to an extreme was awesome, as you can see constant byte-size creative projects represented as a result.

When Kirby Kander came on board and shows the leaps and the gains Seminole Productions made, you really obtained a sense  of what happens inside The Innovation Hub, does NOT stay in the Innovation Hub and you can see connections between what might not have been intended but how tech can affect the world outside. 

Having had experience in charge of park management at the Astro’s stadium, s sports director involved with NBC Sports, ESPN and now FSU, Kander brings a very exciting perspective to FSU.  He showed how they change sports broadcasting by having studios set up where the action is on campus, rather than having to have units go to the sports, the studios are set up all over campus to already be in position to cover the events that occur in the FSU campus. As a former intern for the Pittsburgh Pirates, I can easily compare where we have come since the 1997 season and how FSU and Kander uses the creativity found in technology, and enhance the sports world while enhancing the knowledge of FSU students, definitely a home run (or touchdown) for FSU.  The largest takeaway was showing that no matter what field, no matter what device, there is the element of creativity that can be taken and most importantly applied to the outside world, the real world, where so many parties can play a part in making such events happen.

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Communications Department at FSU Communicates “Behind the Scenes” to reality

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Harry Brake

One would think that would be a lot to take on and take on from the Communication Department but oh no, they were  just getting started J  When introduced to the accomplishments of Dr. Jaejin Lee and how FSU’s Arrowhead Advertising did so well – well, this well  –

one of the top 8 teams advancing to the finals of National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). 

It is pretty exciting to see this happening in the middle of a pandemic, showing how versatile FSU had to be in a pandemic situation where so much had to be flipped virtually, and how Dr. Lee put this into practice as well as how FSU did this as well.  I do remember someone saying how she performed so much “behind the scenes”, which I am sure it true, but the accomplishments the advertising group were able to pull of shows how “behind the scenes” can become a reality. 

The takeaway again is showing how the field of communication can become so transferrable across so many mediums, that of competition, effectiveness, and how to put communication theory into practice.

Just when you thought that might be it – noooo, not even close!  The exciting rollout from Dr, Graves  revealing the documentary on WWII photographer Charlotte Mansfield – takes the whole idea of what communication can do to inform to a higher level!  I felt his statement of liking unknown stories and bring them to light to challenge our ideas about the past – I think that is a mission statement in itself of what the FSU Communication Department has done with these amazing reveals!  In looking at the teaser- ( you know there is going to be some amazing connections to Women’s History Month in March, and realizing that this would be broadcast over the next three years on over 290 public television stations? WHOA FSU Communications Department, you’re on FIRE! 

Being featured at the Jacksonville Film Festival as well – again makes the barriers between what is possible in the classroom and what extends beyond – the true education.  From the needs to raise funds for this project to more, it seems all involved received their career education with just this one project- and is priceless.  Already looking to the next project of The American Soldier – it is exciting how the past can be brought to the future with the right department, the right approach, the right creativity.

When asked in a few words from the Communications Department to sum up the department, all three seemed to capture it, from Dr. Lee’s observation of the department having good vibes, to Dr. Houck’s recognition that all are  pushing boundaries, to Dr. Graves recognizing that all are  providing cutting-edge work and  projects, it is easy to see all of these are  happening in the projects they introduced. 

The biggest takeaway I felt was the largest way you can who what influence you are making in the world is how you model what you are exposed to, and how to inform the world around you.  It seems FSU’s communication department has certainly modeled how communication and reach beyond the barriers the pandemic has laid before us.

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The Emmett Till Memory Project and archives at FSU

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Harry Brake

I have always been interested in communication and bending, shaping, and renovating communication to purpose that many never thought of.  I felt that was exactly what the Communication Department was doing and was super excited to see the cool, cutting-edge projects that were presented.  That is the odd thing, many people see Communications as a bland, and too general/vague of an area and the faculty that presented what they have been “up to” proved exactly opposite of that.

Dr. Houck presented one of the most interesting projects that I have heard or seen, and I am really interested in finding out more based on the Emmett Till archives  and the questions leading to how he became interested  revealed how engaging this projects has become at Florida State University.

In explaining how FSU research found its way in the Mississippi Delta, toured civil rights sites, one being the Bryant Grocery Meat Market and the shocking yet revealing truth behind Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till, forcing the casket to be opened; how she would go on to be a driving force much of what we know today (and to a point what people did not know) – is quite worthy of attention.

The introduction of the Emmett Till Memory Project and a smart phone app that enhances this knowledge is exciting as well as connected to the publication, all show what is possible and nonconventional about presenting communication in a technological-possible period.  This certainly does show the experiential learning that communication can take on,

A huge takeaway from this was realizing that certainly in a time and age during the pandemic so many many individuals have realized, some sooner than later, how vital quality communication among everyone, rather than divisiveness, will let us look into our American past, and learn more about who we a re as a nation, booth when we agree and when we disagree. I am wowed by the power that this project takes on towards that endeavor.

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