That White Girl (Simon and Schuster/Atria, 2007)
By JLove
This novel is a coming of age story traveled by a white girl who flirts with the color lines. In the process Amber gets allured by the call of thug life and becomes immersed in the world of gangs and graffiti. Amber twirls through tales of risky crimes and party times until illusion and reality collide resulting in a painful tragedy. White Girl explores the humiliations and triumphs that occur when an outsider breaks boundaries and becomes involved with the art, politics, and lives of people perceived as different. On a more personal level, the book chronicles Amber's inner struggle for identity and self-expression, and ultimately her transformation from gang-banger to Hip-Hop activist.
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That White Girl!!!
Conscious Women Rock the Page; Using Hip-Hop Fiction to Incite Social Change (CWRP)
Four women have teamed up to support educators who wish to use hip hop fiction in their classrooms to explore social issues and promote activism among their students. CWRP is based on three hip hop novels praised for their treatment of substantive issues from race relations to dating violence in a genre often criticized for glorifying street life and perpetuating stereotypes. The curriculum contains over thirty lessons which are appropriate for use in middle school classrooms through university campuses. The novels upon which CWRP is based are: That White Girl, by JLove, The Sista Hood: On the Mic by E-Fierce, and Picture Me Rollin’, by Black Artemis, and is edited by Marcella Runell Hall, co-editor of The Hip Hop Education Guidebook. CWRP contains lessons on multiple subjects and disciplines including English, social studies, ethnic studies, race relations, women’s studies, criminal justice and health and sexuality to name just a few. CWRP is a curriculum for educators who want to introduce popular media in their learning environments to engage their students on meaningful social and political issues, facilitate their empowerment, and inspire them to take action.
We Got Issues! A Young Women’s Guide to Bold, Courageous and Empowered Life (Inner Ocean, 2006) edited by Rha-Goddess and JLove Calderon
There is a movement brewing among America’s daughters. Women are branding their own form of social and political leadership. Young women have huge hopes and aspirations for themselves, and for their societies. They have limitless gifts to contribute and they have the talent and the right to make those aspirations realities. We stand firm that our growth from victim to vision is a universal process, and we celebrate the voices of all women. This book will explore the social, political and cultural landscape of young women’s leadership in this nation and take the reader on a journey through the hearts, minds, and souls of a new feminine generation as they speak honestly and courageously about the ten most pressing issues facing young women today.
COMING 2008
Till the White Day is Done
Edited by JLove Calderon
What does it mean to be white in America?
Newspaper headlines read of suburban high school shootings; rapper Eminem becomes white America’s biggest nightmare; prescription drugs, SUV’s and gated communities become the primary defense against threats generated by nightly news and daytime talk shows. In today’s times more and more people are wondering what it means to be white in America. This anthology features the work of numerous artists and writers who approach the topic of white privilege through a variety of media. From comic strips to poetry to critical essays, this book will ask thought-provoking questions about the complex meanings behind identity - especially identity tied to race and “skin privilege.”
