“Segmentation was wrong when it was forced by white people, and I believe it is still wrong when it is requested by black people.”
Coretta Scott King

The text for my post today comes from a petition to repeal the Coretta Scott King Book Wards Round Table (CSKBART)’s vote to change its definition of African American. This definition will change the eligibility for the CSK Book Awards. The only thing I can add to what is so well stated here is that in addition to voting NO for this resolution, should it stand, I will discontinue my member is the CSKBART and you will not see me at The Breakfast next year. Considering the attitude this reveals, I don’t know that I’ll be there either way.

Full text can be found here:  https://forms.gle/oKSD29BTZQv9RYxr5

Note that you must be a CSKBART member to vote on this issue, though I doubt they can ignore a large public outcry. To be clear, I do not support this change. I laugh at the irony of those who talk about The Motherland and drape themselves in kente cloth and cowrie shells while at the same time separating themselves from our Black brother and sisters who more recently left the continent most often for reasons that continue to be related to white imperialism.

So, here’s what my fuss is about:

“I, LaKeshia Darden, Chair of the 2024 Coretta Scott King Book Awards, am submitting this appeal on behalf of the 2023-2024 CSK Jury in response to the previous Chair, Dr. Brenda Annisette-Pruitt, and the CSKBART Executive Board’s decision to redefine CSKBART’s definition of African American when determining an author’s and illustrator’s eligibility for the CSK Book Award.

The current definition in the CSK Jury Manual is the following: 

2. “Must be written/illustrated by an African American. Generally speaking, ‘African American’ refers to a person of color of African heritage who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States,” p. 5.

The CSKBART Executive Board proposed and approved the following change to the definition of African American:

African Americans are descendants of enslaved Africans born in the United States.

African American is an ethnic group.

Black American is an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial, or total ancestry from Black racial groups in Africa.

The updated definition was shared with CSKBART members during the general membership meeting at ALA Annual on June 24, 2023.  Many members present expressed their disdain for the new definition because it is divisive and xenophobic. Current and past jury members were concerned about how CSKBART would determine if authors and illustrators were “descendants of enslaved Africans born in the United States,” and that this updated definition would have dire consequences on authors’ and illustrators’ eligibility.  The CSK Jury Chair is responsible for checking the citizenship of each submission. Adding this new criterion is not feasible and attempting to enforce it would open CSKBART to scrutiny.

Ramifications:

Legal: According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), discrimination is illegal–when a person or a company intentionally treats you differently based on your race, ethnicity, or national origin. Why am I including this?  We have awarded Black authors and illustrators in the past based on the criterion that they were American citizens with African ancestry. To make such a drastic change would result in exclusion rather than inclusion. 

Integrity of the Award: The CSKBART Executive Board failed to reach out to The King Center to get their position on changing the definition. However, as Chair of the CSK Jury, I reached out to The King Center and requested an official statement on their position on changing the definition of African American for the CSK Award, named in honor of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. My concerns have been forwarded to Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center and head of the King Family Estate. I anticipate an official response in the coming weeks.

I understand that the CSKBART Executive Board is confident that they appropriately interpreted the intended definition of the CSKBART’s founders. However, how can the CSKBART Executive Board be so sure that they have interpreted the founders’ intent correctly, especially in the face of so much opposition from the members of CSKBART?  I sought to review the bylaws when drafting this motion and found the following message posted on the website:

“The CSKBART Executive Board and Standing Committee Chairs are currently working to update the Leadership and Governance Documents, including the CSKBART Constitution and Bylaws. The newly updated document will be available for viewing beginning on April 7, 2023, at 5:00 PM (EST).” The updated bylaws have yet to be posted nor is there access to the originals.

I am concerned that the original bylaws are no longer accessible on the website.  After finding a copy of CSKBART’s Bylaws and Constitution (linked below), it is clear that a proposal to change the definition of African American must be brought to CSKBART membership.”

SOURCE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeA-8zVwAdmY_IzOesRDrnmWqS4444ZFcmNATD-sRitd3SHpQ/viewform