Author and Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
This children's book discusses the historical and present day implications of racism in public schools. Historically, this explains the Mendez v. Westminster School District case regarding equal opportunities for Latinx populations in the U.S. Even though this court case was monumental in Civil Rights, seventy years still hasn't changed the aspect of racism, stereotyping, and segregation within schools that are still occurring today.
One question that bothered me that was left unanswered, until the plot event of the court case hearing was why Sylvia and her brother couldn't enroll in the school. They were denied for enrollment, but why? Even when asked no one who represented the privileged characters ever gave a direct answer. To me knowing this injustice in actions and unspoken words just shows how stereotyping and racism in society is powerful, specifically since it was unspoken during this time. They didn't feel like they should give a reason. This provoked a lot of anger when I was reading this. Unnecessary treatment of minority populations and how even through the father's life savings possibly being lost for the protection of equal rights for his children, the answer to this question of why was ignorant, stereotyped, and inconclusive.
Below I have included a Vlog of me discussing how the writing and illustrations in this book reflect Critical Race Theory (CRT) and how choosing diverse books for a classroom is important to influence student discussions in becoming activists.
Below is a short video of reference to Sylvia Mendez who provides a personal account of what it was like to go to the new school after being desegregated. Celebrations of equality was met with degrading comments and racism.