Video: A first-hand look at history
"Child of the Civil Rights Movement"
As the daughter of civil rights activist Andrew Young, Paula Young Shelton grew up in a world surrounded by some of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 60’s. Reverend Martin Luther King was “Uncle Martin”, and Dr. Ralph Abernathy was a frequent houseguest. Her home was often filled with the foot soldiers of the movement. From her vantage point as the daughter of a civil rights leader, Paula Young Shelton brings her unique perspective to this important chapter in America’s history.
As a schoolteacher, Shelton believes that it is essential for all children to learn about the accomplishments of African Americans if we are to continue to progress as a nation. Children need to learn their history, even the ugly parts, in order to learn from past mistakes and keep moving forward. Research has shown that learning about the accomplishments of African Americans builds the self-esteem of African American students. And when white students learn Black history it promotes greater understanding between the races while enhancing their knowledge of American history.
The Book
Inspired by the events she witnessed, participated in, and heard the adults around her speaking of, Paula Young Shelton’s firsthand account, and debut picturebook, paints a vivid portrait of this momentous time in American history. Set in the Deep South—at the heart of the movement—the main character of CHILD OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, Paula, lives in a world where whites have and blacks have not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including “Uncle Martin” (Martin Luther King, Jr.) and “Uncle Ralph” (Ralph Abernathy), Paula watches and listens to the struggles, eventually joining with her family—and thousands of others—in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Paula knows that one day, when Mama and Daddy are too tired to fight another battle, the baton will be passed to her and her sisters.
Paula Young Shelton is the daughter of civil rights leader and former U.N. ambassador Andrew Young. She is a teacher in Washington, D.C. and member of the National Black Child Development Institute. Her husband, Hilary O. Shelton, is the director of the NAACP Washington Bureau.
As a schoolteacher, Shelton believes that it is essential for all children to learn about the accomplishments of African Americans if we are to continue to progress as a nation. Children need to learn their history, even the ugly parts, in order to learn from past mistakes and keep moving forward. Research has shown that learning about the accomplishments of African Americans builds the self-esteem of African American students. And when white students learn Black history it promotes greater understanding between the races while enhancing their knowledge of American history.
The Book
Inspired by the events she witnessed, participated in, and heard the adults around her speaking of, Paula Young Shelton’s firsthand account, and debut picturebook, paints a vivid portrait of this momentous time in American history. Set in the Deep South—at the heart of the movement—the main character of CHILD OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, Paula, lives in a world where whites have and blacks have not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including “Uncle Martin” (Martin Luther King, Jr.) and “Uncle Ralph” (Ralph Abernathy), Paula watches and listens to the struggles, eventually joining with her family—and thousands of others—in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Paula knows that one day, when Mama and Daddy are too tired to fight another battle, the baton will be passed to her and her sisters.
Paula Young Shelton is the daughter of civil rights leader and former U.N. ambassador Andrew Young. She is a teacher in Washington, D.C. and member of the National Black Child Development Institute. Her husband, Hilary O. Shelton, is the director of the NAACP Washington Bureau.