President Obama May Improve the Image of African Americans, but Being Black or Brown in America is Still Tough for Kids

President Obama May Improve the Image of African Americans, but Being Black or
Brown in America is Still Tough for Kids
Sandy Lynne Holman urges educators and parents to action

DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The media is touting new films about
image and the African American experience -- Chris Rock's "Good Hair," Oprah's
"Precious," CNN's Black in America, Disney's Princess and the Frog and Tyler
Perry's films -- but talking about self-image is a mission for Sandy Holman,
director of The Culture CO-OP, Davis, California. Holman has dedicated the
last twenty years of her career to boosting the body-image and self-esteem of
the nation's youth. Her focus is on diversity and children who are
disproportionately affected by negative messages such as African Americans and
Latinos.

Her first book --"Grandpa, Why Is Everything Black Bad?"-- won national awards
in spite of what her critics called its "negative title." Holman reads this
and her other titles, "Grandma Says Our Hair has Flair" and "We All Have a
Heritage," to the nation's children.

The children who read her books know exactly what they mean, and they feel
validated by the positive messages inside. Holman observes that from age
three, kids notice when their skin and hair doesn't measure up to their role
models in movies and television.

"Things have reached an epidemic level for our children and the messages they
internalize," Holman said, "And still we debate why there are achievement gaps
in education, high dropout rates, high incarceration rates and worse." The
negative messages that children of color receive, coupled with insidious
institutional systems, are taking their toll.

Holman says it is vital to take collective action because ultimately all of
society is affected. By working with schools, creating community
conversations, giving presentations and creating books, songs and other
materials, she encourages individuals to intervene in the lives of youth
during their formative years.

Sandy Holman has degrees from the University of California and California
State University in psychology and counseling.

The Culture CO-OP (Caring, Optimistic, Open-minded People) promotes
understanding and respect for diversity, reading and quality education for
all. They accomplish their mission through dynamic presentations and
research-based multicultural products that incorporate reading, music and the
arts for people of all ages and backgrounds. They are preparing to launch the
national campaign "We All Have a Heritage" to increase cross-cultural
awareness and understanding.

SOURCE The Culture CO-OP

Sandy Lynn Holman, Director of The Culture CO-OP, +1-530-792-1334, cell,
+1-530-902-4534, sandy@CultureCo-op.com