Raising awareness about the misrepresentation of people of color in children literature – Vivian Yenika-Agbaw
Vivian Yenika-Agbaw is a professor of literature and literacy in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State, a mentor to many Penn State students, and an advocate for marginalized peoples.
She has spent her life studying and analyzing hierarchical systems of oppression and race relations. Through her writing and teaching, she encourages compassion, empathy, inclusivity and social change. My aim is to identify those who are marginalized and work to include their voices through literature,” she said. Our Executive Director, Christian Elongué has met with Professor Vivian Yenika-Agbaw at the IBBY Africa Regional Meeting in Accra. In this article, we are presenting her and her contribution in the promotion of more inclusivity and representation in Children literature in the US and in the African diaspora.
About NGNAOUSSI ELONGUE Cedric Christian
Christian Elongué est l'auteur de la référence critique "Introduction à la littérature jeunesse au Cameroun", aux Editions l'Harmattan. Il a collaboré pour la promotion de l’édition jeunesse africaine avec la revue Takam Tikou du Centre National de littérature pour la jeunesse de la Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Passionné par le livre et la lecture depuis l’enfance, il est convaincu de l’enjeu critique du livre pour enfants dans l’avènement d’une poétique de la relation et dans la construction d’une mentalité de « vainqueur » auprès des jeunes africains. Il est attentif depuis 6 ans à l’évolution des échanges entre les pays du sud et les pays du nord dans le domaine de l’édition.
