Not My Idea

White people need tools in order to translate this moment of consciousness into meaningful change. Not My Idea is a tangible tool by a children’s book author with a great track record for tackling difficult topics. We can’t dismantle racism and white supremacy without white people — Not My Idea helps kids understand American past and present, and gives them the tools to have a more equal future. As Ta Nehisi Coates has said on NPR: “If I were a kid right now, I would want to understand, why did they kill Eric Garner? Why is that OK? I don’t need you to make me feel good about that, but I need to know what happened. People deeply underestimate the freedom that comes from at least understanding.” Not My Idea faces whiteness and racism head on and supports children (and grown-ups) as they face it, too. Not My Idea picks up where Peggy McIntosh’s Invisible Backpack left off and unpacks whiteness for kids. Every page is beautifully illustrated using found materials. The only thing Higginbotham pays for are glue sticks, demonstrating that all of the tools to narrate one's own story are already in a child's hands.