Drum roll please… As you can imagine, it was hard to figure out what should go on the cover of this book. The talented designers at my publisher put out some concepts with generic school vibes, good for protecting identities of real kids, not so good for avoiding cliches about schools, urban life etc. They also worked on a more conceptual cover, which we all appreciated, but felt like could be misinterpreted.
Love it Courtney! We all relate more easily to an individual's story/face/butt/daughter than to a collective or theoretical one. I can't wait to read it.
Courtney - congrats on this much-needed book! Can't wait to read it. Your bravery in taking on this topic is inspiring. On the cover - The photo is great - kudos to John. I understand why you want to avoid having your daughter's full face there but I also feel angry that the data retention practices of many tech companies make this necessary. It may be my age - I feel like I'm missing something important when I can't see a person's face in a photo that's meaning is embedded in their being.
Absolutely remarkable Courtney. Thank you for your courage, vulnerability and sharing all of your lessons and wisdom in being human with us! I can't wait to read it and share it with others.
Congratulations! I appreciate the struggle to figure out where to locate yourself in your narrative. For what it's worth, there's a beautiful passage in this interview with Mariame Kaba about the author's visibility in relationship to her subject that I have taken a lot of heart from:
Courtney, I love this so much! Thank you for modeling brave and courageous ways to stand up and speak your truth when it come to racial stamina and addressing systemic racism.
You're the best. This reminded me of what it must have been like for Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose daughter I think was photographed for one of her pieces about segregation in Education. I think it feels awkward for a lot of reasons, but it does make the most sense and I think readers will appreciate the intimacy that it reflects. I'm proud of you, also, always, and looking forward to reading your beautiful book.
Love how personal the cover is, I look forward to reading this. I appreciate your example as a white woman decentering whiteness as a practice...not too many public examples of this to follow, I appreciate your vulnerability in doing this so publicly!
I love your writing and I know your book will be a valuable contribution to the conversation. I think the photo on the cover is a great photo but I weigh in on the side of safety for your daughter and not to have her face on the cover. The content of the book, I’m sure, will help make this a better world for her.
Love it Courtney! We all relate more easily to an individual's story/face/butt/daughter than to a collective or theoretical one. I can't wait to read it.
Courtney - congrats on this much-needed book! Can't wait to read it. Your bravery in taking on this topic is inspiring. On the cover - The photo is great - kudos to John. I understand why you want to avoid having your daughter's full face there but I also feel angry that the data retention practices of many tech companies make this necessary. It may be my age - I feel like I'm missing something important when I can't see a person's face in a photo that's meaning is embedded in their being.
So WONDERFUL! Congratulations and thank you always for speaking, writing and living from your heart, encouraging us all to do the same ❤️
I was taken in immediately by the cover because it was personal...and that made me want to read what you have to say. Thanks for being bold!
I am so happy for you. Congratulations!
Absolutely remarkable Courtney. Thank you for your courage, vulnerability and sharing all of your lessons and wisdom in being human with us! I can't wait to read it and share it with others.
Congratulations! I appreciate the struggle to figure out where to locate yourself in your narrative. For what it's worth, there's a beautiful passage in this interview with Mariame Kaba about the author's visibility in relationship to her subject that I have taken a lot of heart from:
https://adimagazine.com/articles/mariame-kaba-everything-worthwhile-is-done-with-other-people
You nailed it: you pared it down to its essence; this is how change can happen: "and a little child will lead them"
Courtney, I love this so much! Thank you for modeling brave and courageous ways to stand up and speak your truth when it come to racial stamina and addressing systemic racism.
I can see the water!
You're the best. This reminded me of what it must have been like for Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose daughter I think was photographed for one of her pieces about segregation in Education. I think it feels awkward for a lot of reasons, but it does make the most sense and I think readers will appreciate the intimacy that it reflects. I'm proud of you, also, always, and looking forward to reading your beautiful book.
thanks for the laugh!! LOVE your authenticity!
Love how personal the cover is, I look forward to reading this. I appreciate your example as a white woman decentering whiteness as a practice...not too many public examples of this to follow, I appreciate your vulnerability in doing this so publicly!
I love your writing and I know your book will be a valuable contribution to the conversation. I think the photo on the cover is a great photo but I weigh in on the side of safety for your daughter and not to have her face on the cover. The content of the book, I’m sure, will help make this a better world for her.