The lives of Black girls have far too frequently been used to support assertions regarding their alleged deviance and pathology. These claims have public policy implications, as they have served to ignite firestorms of debate and criticism that have ultimately resulted in harsh welfare reform and other such blame-the-victim policy initiatives. This book clarifies that today's Black girls are not receiving equitable learning opportunities in school. Many Black girls are achieving academic success and pursuing higher education despite significant impediments in their schooling. Talkin' Back offers readers specific strategies that are designed to enhance the efforts of parents and communities, as they work in partnership with schools, raising Black girls who are prepared to wisely confront societal and educational challenges.

Paul provides specific tools that parents can work with to make their children lifelong lovers of reading and writing. As a former teacher in the public school system, Paul is well acquainted with it, and provides parents with insights that will assist them in establishing an educational partnership with their children's teachers.

This guide is geared specifically to Black children from the perspective of an educator and parent. It provides a historical framework that gives a firm foundation upon which to build an understanding of literacy as potentially emancipatory and empowering. This guide includes an annotated bibliography featuring exemplary children's and adolescent literature.