Comments on: Writers Against Racism: Gaylia Taylor

By: tanita

tanita — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:35:02 +0000

These were the types of books I loved to read when I was a kid. It always heartened me to know that people of color created things, were in charge of things, and weren’t always pushed and victimized. These stories are so important, and I love the fun artwork – not everything historical has to come across as educational and heavy. This is great. Thank you so much for sharing this.

By: Gaylia Taylor

Gaylia Taylor — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:11:38 +0000

Kelly,

Thanks for your comments. It’s good to see that writers have the same experiences and feelings about certain things. That’s why it’s a good idea for us to come together to share our thoughts.

I’m glad the girls in your book club enjoyed George Crum.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:07:20 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story, Gaye. I liked this line a lot: “Literature for me has always been a magical vehicle to invade and experience a different world, culture time and space.” I feel the same way.

Sad that someone asked if you write “other stuff,” as if writing about stories drawn from African-American culture, history or children’s lives was narrow and limiting. I appreciate your statement that: “I consider my books to have a message for all cultures.”

Stories with African-American characters are universal too. I think if more folks realized that, a lot of things would change.

Thank you for writing George Crum and the Saratoga Chip. The girls in my book club loved it. Your book is a treasure.

By: Gaylia Taylor

Gaylia Taylor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:01:57 +0000

George,
Hope your grandson enjoys the story of the potato chip. Tell him to “have a chip on me.” And, George I agree I didn’t identify with Dick and Jane. That was the perfect world. (smiles)

Herrera,
Thanks for all of your kind words!

By: B Herrera

B Herrera — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:59:15 +0000

I love the way you write. You make words flow across the page, showing your experiences without bitterness. The fact that your experiences taught you to consider others is a lesson each of us should learn. Every one of us have been mistreated at some time to some extent. This is one experience we should not pass along. Let it stop with us and let us pass along only kindness and understanding. Thanks for sharing your words with us.

By: George Edward Stanley

George Edward Stanley — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:31:06 +0000

I just went online to order GEORGE CRUM AND THE SARATOGA CHIP! Our three year old grandson loves potato chips! The artwork is incredible, too – at least what I’ve seen, the cover. Gaylia, thank you for your story. I am just absolutely fascinated by the insights to life I get from these W.A.R. stories. I especially appreciated your comments that racism seems to come more from groups than from individuals (I’m paraphrasing here and probably simplifying too much, I’m sure). It has always bothered me that people from different racial/ethnic, etc. groups often lump everyone together as being racist. Oh, that’s the way blacks are! Oh, that’s the way whites are! Oh, that’s the way Indians are (no one would use “Native Americans” in that sentence!) And on and on and on. That’s just not the way it is. Your comment about blacks being invisible in books when you were growing up is one of the things we’re all trying to change. Young people today shouldn’t have to deal with that. There are too many fantastic writers of color whose books are simply being ignored and left off reading lists in public schools. I have to tell you, though, that I didn’t particularly identify with DICK AND JANE, either. I didn’t know anyone in Memphis, Texas, white, black, or Mexican-American who even came close to looking/acting/etc. like that family!!