When I wrote my book, Pink is Just a Color and so is
Blue, it was with my younger son in mind. He is now starting to like Ninjago,
Beyblades, Pokemon and other "boy" things but still has an affinity for
the pink and purpley things too. 



After the publication of the book, I was really
excited about going into his school and reading the book to his class.  It was these
kids that I really wanted to reach with the message of the book. After all,
they were my son’s classmates and friends who interacted with him on a daily
basis.  A few of them have had play dates
with my son and I recall one child saying, “He has girl’s toys.”  This would be grassroots effort to teach
about tolerance and acceptance.



I asked my son’s teacher if I could come and read
the book to the class. She was excited but needed approval from the
principal.  I was told by the principal that
it was the policy of the school not to promote any authors and so I could not come read to my son's class.  I had not asked for a letter to go
home announcing my visit or asking parents to buy my book for the occasion.   At
first I was upset but decided to approach it differently.  I just wanted the message to reach the
children so why not just let the teacher read the book to the class.  Instead of just putting the book into my son’s
folder, I gave a copy to the office to give it to  his teacher.  
After inquiring about it, I received a call back from the principal, who
had the school counselor on the line with her, as a witness apparently.  I was told again that as a school policy
not even the teacher could read my book to the class and i should come pick up by book from the office!!



In many
preschools and kindergartens parents are invited to read to the kids or talk
about different things.  I taught preschool
and kindergarten for many years before I became a mom.  The community sometimes is full of free
teaching resources.  Yes, sometimes they
get a little advertising for their businesses too.  But these outside, real life resources are a
great learning tool for kids at a young age.  
These visits of moms and dads
coming in to talk to the children about different topics  ar outweighs  the value of any worksheet  or lecture.  These are tangible experiences that the kids
will remember and learn from.  For me,
going to read at my son’s school was not about selling books.  It was about spreading a message. 



Last year I was told by the principal that it is school
policy that they do not discuss different cultures!  I had asked to come and do an art project for
the Indian festival called Diwali.  A
good percentage of our school district is Asian.  What better way for diverse group of people to
gain cultural understanding of ideas, thoughts and ways.  Culturally diverse is not the same as culturally
aware.  Though we may live in a culturally
diverse surrounding, understanding and appreciation comes from knowing.   I wish
there was a week set aside every year where parents and students of all
backgrounds could go into schools and teach about their respective cultures.  I realize schools have international days but
this would be more informative than entertaining.



My first intro into our school was a kid yelling
out  from the bus window, “Hey you brown
lady!”   Now I understand.  There are kids being bullied or teased  for wearing turbans, having “funny” accents,
or  the smell of their lunches . Then there
kids being harassed for being too “tomboyish”... or not boyish enough.  I can only hope that my children will fare
well and not be hurt by the ignorance and intolerance of others.  I hope that my son’s friends will understand that
what colors you like and what toys you play with do not mean much.  Pink is just a color and so is blue….what truly
matters is what’s deep inside of you! As for our principal, somethings are better left unsaid.....