My grandmother and my upbringing filled me with the spirit of the church and the spirit of the faith brought by Africans to the new land during slavery. Jewell Parker Rhodes More Quotes by Jewell Parker Rhodes More Quotes From Jewell Parker Rhodes The world can be a hard place sometimes... You have to have heart. You have to be strong. Parents want their children to grow up to be strong. Not just any strong, mind you, but loving strong. Jewell Parker Rhodes strong life children But you...are my sweetest gift. The life surprise that soothed all my ills and gave me my greatest joys. I feel so blessed you are mine. —Mama Ya-Ya Jewell Parker Rhodes mama blessed joy Women hand sight down through the generations. Mother to daughter. Jewell Parker Rhodes daughter mother hands I wanted kids to have context for seeing the horrible footage of 9/11. I wanted them to feel the patriotism that united us, the sense of inclusivity, of not discriminating against religions. I want that feeling back, and I want to remind kids - and all of us - that we have a tremendous power when we remember our history and our founding principles. Jewell Parker Rhodes feelings remember kids Children know you ought to be fair. Especially fifth graders. I love fifth graders. They know that bullying is wrong. They know that you should praise one another, and that differences make a strong community. So sometimes I feel as though I can't wait for the fifth graders to grow up and rule the world. Jewell Parker Rhodes bullying growing-up strong I've been waiting a long time to be a children's book author. I've spent decades getting good enough to write for children. When a kid likes my book, or just likes that I'm visiting and talking to him or her, and I get a hug, I feel reborn. That hug that says you made a connection - there's nothing better in the whole wide world. Jewell Parker Rhodes kids book children I'm connected to the event of 9/11 by my desire to do something to honor the 9/11 survivors and those who didn't survive. Something that moves our society forward, something that engages children in what it means to be a citizen and encourages them to love and be inclusive. Because if we don't live our lives well - if I don't live my life well - it's an affront to all the people who were involved in the tragedy of 9/11. Jewell Parker Rhodes mean children moving I love historical fiction because there's a literal truth, and there's an emotional truth, and what the fiction writer tries to create is that emotional truth. Jewell Parker Rhodes emotional historical truth love My mother had abandoned the family, so grandmother raised me. And she was instrumental in that she taught me that the world is a glorious place. She taught me to embrace humanity. And she'd say there's never an excuse for joy. And to be thankful. Jewell Parker Rhodes me family mother thankful Prejudice is sinful. All blood flows red. And the most harmful and foolish kind of prejudice is prejudice against yourself. Every woman is your sister, and every woman needs her sisters. So try to give other women the courtesy of your compassion, respect, and forgiveness. Love yourself despite - and because of - your flaws. Jewell Parker Rhodes forgiveness women respect love A grandparent can be simply affirming. A grandparent has been there, done that child-raising stuff, and has the wisdom of experience. And so in some ways, they're free to love without the anxiety of being the actual parents. They're free to give. Jewell Parker Rhodes parents experience wisdom love When a parent says about a book, 'That's not my child's world,' I remind them of the future. Social fluency will be the new currency of success. Not experiencing diversity challenges our kids' future in the global work force. It handicaps them from making America and the world more livable and just. Jewell Parker Rhodes future challenges work success I was born in a ghetto on the North Side of Pittsburgh. I was born as Emmett Till was dying and the civil rights era was being born. Jewell Parker Rhodes i-was-born being ghetto born I grew up feeling 'less than.' I was the sad, shy child hiding in the hall closet beneath coats. I'd wait for my grandmother's voice to call, 'Jewell, Jewell.' I was lost, waiting to be found. I thought being found, I'd be happier, better. All the while, I read stories. Stories with both truth and lies. Jewell Parker Rhodes wait sad truth waiting I inhaled books. I loved Classics Illustrated comic books. These were books that I could afford to buy after I turned in pop bottles for change. 'The Prince and the Pauper,' 'Robinson Crusoe,' 'A Journey to the Center of the Earth.' Male narratives filled with adventure and self-discovery. Jewell Parker Rhodes loved change journey adventure While the books I read as a child lacked diversity in the strict sense, they didn't lack values. Reading, I didn't see me externally, but I felt me - my humanity. Jewell Parker Rhodes child me reading humanity I tried the second season of 'American Horror Story,' and it scared me horribly. I guess I prefer my own imagination to a realized visual. Jewell Parker Rhodes story me my-own imagination My grandmother valued her Southern roots, folk culture, and healing. Jewell Parker Rhodes grandmother healing roots culture I would love for there to be a 'Voodoo Dreams' movie, especially after seeing the glorious 'Beasts of the Southern Wild.' I so admired how the filmmakers captured Louisiana and the magical atmosphere. I cried. Jewell Parker Rhodes wild how dreams love In 'Bayou Magic,' I bring in the cultural tradition of African mermaids - Mami Wata, the mother goddesses. Jewell Parker Rhodes bring tradition magic mother
