''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me'' is the name of a 1992 children's picture book written and illustrated by

Judith Vigna Judith Helen Vigna (born 1936 ) was a British-American writer who became known in the late 1990s and early 2000s because of her children's books that covered controversial topics such as drug addiction, alcoholism, homosexuality, racism, death of ...

and published by Albert Whitman and Company. The story tells the tale of a friendship that develops between two young girls of separate ethnicities; Christy the narrator is

Caucasian Caucasian may refer to: Anthropology *Anything from the Caucasus region ** ** ** ''Caucasian Exarchate'' (1917–1920), an ecclesiastical exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Caucasus region * * * Languages * Northwest Caucasian l ...

while her friend Kyra is of

African African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...

descent. Conflict is created within the story when Kyra's family, the Kirks, move into Christy's neighborhood and racism threatens to tear their relationship and neighborhood apart. However, the story comes to a close when both Christy and Kyra's families develop a mutual trust and reliance on one another. Written with a socially conscious agenda, ''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me'' endeavors to tackle

racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism ...

and racist prejudices within a text suitable for young children. However, Vigna's writing has received criticism for using perceived stereotypes of

black culture Black culture refers to: * Culture of Africa * African-American culture * The culture of black communities in other parts of the world, see Black people See also * Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture The Schomburg Center for Resear ...

Plot

When Christy's friend Kyra moves out of a violent neighborhood and relocates into Christy's own residential area, Christy's family and friends react negatively and are hesitant to meet Kyra's family, the Kirks. As the story progresses, tension further escalates when the Kirks are socially rejected at a neighborhood block party and vandalism occurs. However, tension is relieved when Cristy's father apologizes to the Kirks for the racism they have endured, and Christy's mother offers to call the police after the Kirk's van has been vandalized. As the story comes to a close the relationship between Kyra's and Christy's families is improving, for Christy's mother drives both her daughter and Kyra to gymnastics and allows her daughter to see as much of Kyra as she wants. Moreover, Matt, Julie and their father move out of Christy and Kyra's neighborhood and thus reduce the racial tension.

Reception

''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me'' has received both positive and negative reviews ever since publication in 1992. Often included on lists of controversial children's literature, ''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me'' has received backlash for its perceived "racial insensitivity and insincerity ". Moreover, in 2000 Vigna was accused of " reinforcing negative stereotypes about blacks and positive stereotypes about whites " by a customer of the Toronto Public Library, however ''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me'' still remained on the library's shelves for public access. Nevertheless, ''Black Like Kyra, White Like Me,'' has received praise for being both a teaching tool about racism and a reflection of racial conflict and divide. In addition, in Pittman 's ''Whited Out: Unique Perspectives on Black Identity and Honors Achievement,'' Vigna's ''Black like Kyra, White Like Me'' is stated to be fundamental in producing and teaching empathy in early childhood development. Furthermore, Vigna's illustrations have been praised for their attractiveness and ability to lighten up the story's heavy mood.

References

{{Portal, Children's literature 1992 children's books American picture books Children's books about friendship Children's books about race and ethnicity African-Americans in literature