HASTINGS, Mich. — A pair of Michigan moms hope to make big changes with a book they co-authored that helps families discuss societal issues.
Ashley Gooding and Kayla DeWalt began writing “What is Privilege?” in September after a conversation on social media inspired the idea.
The book uses each letter of the alphabet to break down social and racial issues impacting the country in a family-friendly way.
Both women say it’s something they struggled with themselves, especially in the aftermath of events this year, like the police killing of George Floyd.
“My son would ask me questions like why are there all these protests on TV?” said Gooding. “He’s five but he sees what’s going on. So for me, it was a struggle to figure out how to bring it to his level.”
Every page includes definitions, prompts, and a QR code which links to a website with additional resources, like podcasts, blog posts, and videos. People interested in submitting resources or contributing to the website, click here.
The book heads to publishing in December and its release is scheduled for January 20.
“The more that I learned about how we need to recognize and appreciate the differences and things like that, I started to look around my house and see that, okay my kids only have able bodied dolls,” said Gooding. “We need to introduce them to these ideas that, oh you can have a doll in a wheelchair.”
They believe it could inspire families to take each day and make a change.
“My daughter is not old enough to talk about the issues, she’s not quite a year and a half, but she is biracial, so these issues that we have talk about, they will effect her one way or another,” said DeWalt. “I wanted to be as educated as I could possibly be to give her the best understanding of the world and how it may effect her. I want to know how it’s going to effect her and how I can help her and other kids through it.”
