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Throughout the years of the campaign, the girl’s expectations were not only met, but were also exceeded: people from around the world donated more than 12 thousand. books. Additionally, Marley herself wrote the book and became one of the leading democratic education activists in the United States.
The question sparked action
2015 M. Dias, then an eleven-year-old coffee in New Jersey, was curious about pancakes with his family when his mother unexpectedly asked him, “If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?”
This moment, like many others, could have become one of the supposedly insignificant events of the day, but Marley says that her mother’s problem was the main impulse for a project that will change their lives and that of many people in the future.
At the time, Marley had just read Jacqueline Woodson’s book “Brown Girl Dreaming”, which introduced her to an undiscovered world: a world where the black girls of her classmates were a complicated and diverse world, the main heroines of history. where Marley could see her reflection.
“The stories I found at home reading books like The Brown Girl’s Dreams were not like the ones we should read in fifth grade,” Marley told Chicago Tribune magazine.
Reading is not a punishment. Books help find words: they have learned to express their thoughts and feelings more clearly and freely, that inspires.
According to the passionate reader, the classic American compulsory literature assigned to their peers to read has remained almost unchanged since the days of their parents and grandparents. Almost all of the stories that most American children read in fifth and sixth grade are about white children and their adventures with their cubs.
So Marley, who was not playing a book at home at home, answered a question from her mother: “If I could change, I would like more children my age to be able to read books like I read at home, at school and at home, stories starring African-Americans. ” girls like me. “
The first thousand books
2015 In November, Dias set out to collect at least a thousand books on the lives of African American girls and donate them to schools in her community. The eleven-year-old boy also decided to compile a public list of books and authors whose works are dominated by stories about African American girls and their lives.
To accomplish her goal, Marley used social media: She created the # 1000BlackGirlBooks playlist, which seemed to become popular, bringing together a large community of like-minded and supportive people across the United States.
The first thousand books, collected in just a few months, Marley decided to donate to her mother’s elementary school in Jamaica, where the girl’s mother, Janice Johnson Dias, Ph.D., discovered the joy of reading.
“I realized that even in spaces like Jamaica, where the majority of the population is black, there are almost no narratives that reflect their realities and lives,” explains Dias.
Influence: The project conceived by M. Dias has significantly changed American schools.
According to the girl, it was important for her to pay the first tribute to the community from which she came. The retreating elementary school in St. Mary received the women of the Dias family with great warmth, and the books were shared by a regiment of elementary students.
To the white house
The young activist’s campaign, extraordinary maturity, and social fervor soon caught the attention of the US and international media. As soon as she shared her idea online, Marley was invited to a talk show by the famous Ellen DeGeneres, where she presented her project to nearly 4 million people. spectators
This was followed by an interview with The Guardian, The New York Times, Elle Magazine and her conversation as a young journalist with then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
2018 Time magazine has included the girl in the list of the 25 most influential teenagers. Marley became the youngest man in Forbes’ prestigious publication “30 under 30” (the 30 most influential people under the age of 30). That same year, the activist spoke at the Summit of the State of Women at the White House in Washington, sharing a podium with personalities such as Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
Sometimes journalists ask if it is not difficult to find books whose main characters are black girls. At times like these, Marley politely reminds you that in just over a year, the # 1000BlackGirlBooks campaign has raised over 12,000. books sent by benefactors from all over the world. According to her, there are many of those stories in the literary world, but they are not always announced or exhibited in the bookstore windows. Often authors who create stories that stand out from traditional narratives do not belong to publishers of global fame and size and publish books on their own.
Huge gap
The young activist believes that her main goal is to encourage as many people as possible to take an interest in the importance of diverse literature that reflects the cultures of the world, both in schools and beyond.
Despite the success and recognition of the Dias project, the question may arise: why was the young woman excited about the desire to change the world through children’s books? Do compulsory school literature lists really have such a big impact on our lives?
According to research by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (KVKC, University of Wisconsin-Madison), in 2016. of the 3,400 books published in the US. In the US, only 8.4 percent. they had at least one African American protagonist.
“This gap is detrimental to all of us,” Dias shared in an interview with Forbes journalist Mege Makgrat. “Thanks to my parents, who brought a wide variety of books home, I was able to learn about the stories of different people. It definitely made me more understanding and tolerant of people’s differences.” “
It is also important to Marley that her black peers have access to books that reflect the unique experiences of African American girls.
“When you can identify with the hero of the book, it’s much easier to learn from the character’s victories and losses and apply them to your life,” Marley thinks.
So does Patty Jenkins, director of Wonder Woman: “Since the first story we created, people have always wanted to identify with the main character.”
Inspire mom’s example
Let’s face it, Marley’s persistent zeal, international social activities and accomplishments are not unique to every girl. The young activist understands this. She is glad that she grew up in a loving family that inspired her passion for reading and getting to know the world, supporting her financially and emotionally every step of the way.
The mountain pancake talks could be the start of a new revolution. As far as I can remember, my mother always encouraged me to think broadly about the world, to set goals for myself and to pursue them diligently.
The best example Marley sees is her mother, J.J. Dias, who is the founder of the GrassROOTS Community Foundation to help women in need. Her work on the mental, sexual, and physical health of black girls has received special recognition from Congress.
From an early age, Marley has volunteered with her mother in her community in New Jersey. They are very close to their mother and often participate in long discussions about the world around them.
“The conversations on the mountain pancakes can be the start of a new revolution,” jokes Marley.
Mission: In her book, Marley encourages her peers to pursue their dreams and encourages adults to support their children.
J.J. Days in an interview with The Guardian emphasized that her and other parents’ job is to give their children opportunities for self-expression and not be afraid to let them make mistakes. Marley agrees. In his opinion, parents and educators should encourage children to ask more questions and courageously share their ideas. The education of curious and active children depends on the example set by the parents and their support.
Evidence of notoriety.
As Marley became popular, daily family life changed, and the girl, who has her own column in Elle magazine, is happy that her parents are making sure they have time to be a normal young teenager: preparing homework, see friends and experience a simpler and more unfocused life.
“I want people to know that I am still the same person as everyone else,” says Dias, who celebrated his fifteenth birthday on January 4. “Every day I experience ups and downs. Sometimes I think people don’t see me as a real person.” but only as a public figure, and that scares me. “
Marley understands why famous people long to “just be normal.” Sometimes she feels lonely because few girls her age do similar activities. “Despite everything, I am determined to continue what I do because I enjoy reading, I love books and I enjoy my life as it is,” says the girl.
“You will also be successful”
To encourage his peers to boldly pursue their dreams, at the age of fourteen, M. Dias released his first children’s book, “Marley Dias Does It and You Can Too”. Marley describes the book as a guide for children her age (and somewhat older) on how to use their hobbies to contribute to the well-being and development of their community.
In the book, Marley talks about how the project has grown from a simple social media post to a national movement: sharing how the idea came about, encouraging children to experience the joy of reading, learning more about the world, and taking the initiative to change it.
The young author of the book also talks about her parents’ positive influence on her life and advises parents and educators on how to encourage their children and students to love reading. The passionate reader offers many helpful sources and tips on how to find great children’s books where they can learn about the world and the problems they would like to contribute to in the future.
The book is useful not only for children but also for their parents. According to Marley, teachers and parents can learn to listen to their children, advise and support their children. Teachers can also learn that by offering more diverse books that accept and celebrate people’s differences, they promote secularism and help children be more confident. Marley has no doubt that children will do better in and out of school if they gain confidence.
Free Book Vending Machines
2019 In the summer of 2006, Ms. Díaz became an ambassador for JetBlue, the ninth year of the airline’s Soar with Reading campaign. The award-winning initiative seeks to ensure that children from low-income families have the opportunity to read books.
This campaign used small vending machines for the first time, only instead of chocolates and small snacks behind the glass, they put books that anyone could pick up for free. Among them is the book by M. Dias.
Six vending machines were built in those areas of New York where access to children’s books is limited.
“It is important to us that children and their families can take as many books as they want,” says Marley. “Our goal is to encourage children to take an interest in reading, especially in the summer.”
Vending machines were replenished every two weeks, and English and Spanish speaking children could enjoy the available books.
Rating: 2018 Time magazine has included the girl in the list of the 25 most influential teenagers.
M.Dias about …
… reading. Reading is not a punishment. Books help find words: they have learned to express their thoughts and feelings more clearly and freely, that inspires.
… your time. My generation is not optimistic. Often, all we hear is bad news. But all that could change if we knew that there really are people who fight every day, albeit in small actions, trying to change the world.
… The future. As I get older, I would like to continue telling stories. I am considering being the editor of my own magazine or a television director and producer.
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