Does it matter that little Tony is black?

[Gabi_boldt]

I say that it does matter that Tony is black because he is now a positive image for other black children to look at and see themselves in. It's like when the first Black Barbie was released. Little girls who weren't white, finally had some representation in this society that wasn't inherently negative. Much like the superheroes of Black Panther, Tony is a positive representation of blackness. It shows people, children really, that just because someone isn't white, it doesn't mean that they're bad. Which I think it really important, especially after growing up in a small town. Ninety-nine percent of my hometown is white, and a lot of them believe that there is nothing good about black people in America, because they've never seen anything different. Books like this one can hopefully change that mindset. Books like this one can help stop powerful tides of racism from surviving.

[joycechitwa]

The role of the Black Tony is critical in shaping the ideologies of all who will interact with the book, especially the children. Besides challenging the stereotype of "white superhero", it asserts that any person can rise to prominence. Won't it be nice if we no longer have to "qualify" the super hero, e.g. "black" Tony, "female" Record-holder, "minority" gold medalist; and just refer to them as Tony, record-holder or gold medalist. This is the foundation of social inclusivity. I look forward to reading books whose superheroes are persons living with physical or mental disabilities, or have conditions that are generally typically stigmatized. Stories have the power to create in us and around us the kind of world we want to see.

[Laura Ungureanu]

I never thought about the reverse, that Toni having no powers means only white superheroes have them. I don't think such a strong message could be written in a children's book, not intentionally at least. I hope no kid will think that.

[julessawyer]

For me it did not matter although there are guidelines in the internet about how to spot children's book with explicit and latent racism and sexism content. I did review this book but I did not point it out because I think it was not the highlight of the book.
You make a good argument about black superhero doing ordinary things as depicted in the book. Is it the author's intention? I really do hope that the subsequent books have major changes.
You made a point to ponder about! Thanks. I'll be more vigilant next time.

[K Geisinger]

I think it will be a good example to small children and help them form impressions of young black children as the superhero too. If we are teaching the new generation the superhero stories, but not drawing too much attention to the fact that he is black, maybe we can do better to raise decent human beings. Hopefully it is only the adults who are noticing that Toni doesn't have the ability to fly and maybe it is reserved for Toni's white neighbor.

The last thing I want is my child noticing that Toni is a black superhero. I want her to notice that he is doing great things and is a help to those around him. If black is the only thing she notices I'm missing the mark on my parenting.

[shaz1994]

I am sure most kids would barely recognize the color distinction of the Superhero, as long as the book is interesting some things will be overlooked unintentionally

[Christina Rose]

Christinaro - Interesting question! I didn't view it as black kids can only do ordinary things while the superpowers belong to the white kids. For me, the story showed that important people (superheroes) still do ordinary activities and chores like everyone else.

This is what I gathered as well. When I read through the book, I just felt that there was emphasis placed on Toni doing everyday activities - perhaps suggesting that ordinary kids can do extraordinary things.

[Christina Rose]

The fact that Toni is black didn't even register on my radar until this thread. So I obviously felt none of the above.
And I don't think it will for kids either. They just see another kid, it's us adults that notice the colour

I completely get what you are saying. I noticed that Toni is black, but there wasn't anything jarring about that. I didn't consider that there may be a social agenda behind his character.

[Christina Rose]

As a black parent - and now grandparent - it didn't even occur to me that such a comparison could be made. I was focused on the lesson that even superheroes do chores AND enjoy it... In my review, I did mention Tony's color, but I did so as a positive -

I like that the hero in question is a boy of color. In a genre where the superheros have historically been fair-skinned, it's important for little African-American children to see heroes who look like themselves. Since Black Panther is making a splash at the box office, the timing is on-point for our little hero.

This is pretty much exactly how I feel, too. I thought that the focus was more on how Toni could relate to other children because they enjoy the same things, and also that Toni understands the importance of doing chores and sleeping when it's time, etc.
The quote from your review is spot on. All children should feel included, even in the world of superheroes and Disney princesses. I'm a Pacific Islander, and I grew up constantly feeling either underrepresented or misrepresented. Today, my children can watch characters like Moana, and strong actors like Dwayne Johnson and Jason Momoa.
I do think it matters that Toni is black, but not because of any hidden agenda. I think it's important for children to feel relevant and represented, and to know that they are in no way inadequate.

[Christina Rose]

I agree with Bianka's initial statement that I wasn't even fazed by the color of Toni's skin. I hope children do not look at this book and notice either. When I was in elementary school I remember it was a primarily white school, and there was a brother and sister who were the only black kids I remember in my grade. I remember being friends with both of them, and I don't think the color of their skin was something I noticed at that time. Attitude, behavior, values, those are things that matter when you get to know someone.

I don't really like this question because I think it draws too much attention to something that shouldn't even be relevant about this book. Would you ask this question if the child were white? The only way I can really see it making a difference is to parents. Do you think white parents are less likely to buy this book because it is a black boy? Do you think black parents are more likely to buy it?

When I saw this topic I asked myself that same question - "Would you ask this question if the child were white?"
While I do think it's important that Toni is black, the question posed in this thread never even crossed my mind. I think it's important for kids to feel included; to see other kids like them in books like this. I really think the only agenda the author had was to help us teach our children to read, and maybe show them that superheroes do chores, too.

[Stevenebomuche]

the chore moral lessons here is what to be considered as food for thought not color or skin differences

[Christina Rose]

To be honest I think so, Toni being black is important because because little children of colour don't have a lot of literature to fall back on, and we all know its easier to see yourself in a superhero if they look like you, but I'm also a bit on the fence that teaching children about colour very young might be bad, what'd you think?

I do agree that it's easier to see yourself in a superhero if he or she looks like you.
I think it's important to teach children about culture and heritage more so than skin color. Learning about your family's history can be interesting and fun, and can foster a feeling of belonging. If parents are also talking about and modeling tolerance and acceptance, then any discussions about color should be far less difficult to tackle, if the discussion is ever even necessary. Children will notice when people look different, and we have the ability to influence whether these differences are viewed as negative or positive.

[Christina Rose]

Aside from writing this book to help young children learn to read, this particular book is meant to highlight what Toni does when he's not saving the world. The author introduces him as a superhero on a page with an illustration of him flying. So, that shows one of his superpowers right there. He can fly.

After that, children can relate their lives to his, since he enjoys ordinary things, too. That's important when you're developing a sense of self-worth -- you see there's a superhero who does the same things you do.

In the three books to come, the author discusses how Toni loves vegetables, likes to read, and then saves the day. It seems from that order, that the author is trying to focus on being a good person and developing good habits first. I definitely don't think it's her intention to downplay Toni's abilities.

Also, if I were writing a superhero book, I would likely make the hero look like my sons. There would be no hidden agenda, just a way for me to add something personal to the story. I'm pretty sure that the author simply created a character that her own sons could relate to, and there isn't anything wrong with that.

[Hallsword]

It shouldn't matter that Toni is black. There is a trend of seeing black characters in children-centric movies and books getting off the ground. The idea of these characters being relatable to the Black community; helping black children to have more to identify with than truckloads of stories about white kids.

[Tcaudill]

The fact that Toni is black didn't even register on my radar until this thread. So I obviously felt none of the above.
And I don't think it will for kids either. They just see another kid, it's us adults that notice the colour

My thoughts exactly.