I think it is important that we keep on record what has happened in our world so that we can learn from it, be better. I think it’s important that black folks, black Americans, that we see ourselves as crucial and in integral to this nation’s history. And that our origin story is important too. And so many times as a child, I remember that assignment that the child gets in the book, and Nicole also was that kid who gets the assignment to draw a flag or to talk about your ancestors. And that’s a hard assignment for a lot of people in this country who did not immigrate here, but who were brought here against their will.
And so I was proud of this book because it also helps black Americans think about what we helped create once we got here, and that our legacy is so much about making America live up to us promise of democracy, and that we can be proud of this country in the sense of we worked hard and we tilled the ground and our ancestors planted actual seeds, but also seeds of faith for us to be here as a people. And that that’s a powerful legacy to come from. And so the joy, the vibrant life that they lived pre enslavement and then the joy and the vibrant life that they fought so hard to get and to strive for, it was something that was a common thread throughout the whole book. Even though this big, tragic, horrific thing happened to them, they survived and they kept living and kept surviving and kept dreaming. And so yeah, it was a powerful project and I’m forever grateful that Nicole invited me to be a part of it.