STRONG LIKE ME
Strong Like Me Inspiring girls to be proud of their strength I wrote Strong Like Me for little confused. girls, especially Black girls, Why did being who deserve to know that their strong seem to strength is a gift, not a burden. As make me less a writer, I’m deeply aware of the of a girl? ‘strong Black woman’ trope and Statistics the pressure it places on us to be show that invincible. This book isn’t about girls drop out reinforcing that idea. It’s about of sports at expanding it, showing young girls high rates that strength can be athletic, during school emotional, creative, or quiet. It’s years. Strong Like Me is a small about reminding them that they stand against that trend. It’s a don’t have to shrink themselves to celebration of girls who climb, be accepted. kick, leap and lead. It’s also for When I was younger, I loved the girls who are strong in ways being active. I was fast, agile and the world doesn’t always see: by full of energy. But sometimes speaking up, by caring deeply, by other children and even adults daring to be different. made me feel like my athleticism I hope this story helps children wasn’t ‘girly.’ It left me sad and understand that there’s nothing
The Story Starts with You
wrong with their strength. I hope it gives Black girls in particular the space to explore their power without apology, in all its beautiful forms. KELECHI OKAFOR Author www.kelechiokafor.com
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