Yin’s message to Moms for Liberty as to why her book COOLIES is banned. Do you think her delivery was tactful and diplomatic? Is her message effective way to get her voice heard?
Moms for Liberty is a grassroots organization that advocates for parental rights, limited government intervention in education, and individual freedoms. It was founded by a group of mothers in the United States who are concerned about the direction of public education and the influence of government policies on their children's schooling. The organization aims to empower parents to become more involved in their children's education and to promote policies that align with their values and priorities.
Yin, the author of Coolies, was born and raised in Brooklyn, growing up in the New York City housing projects. Being the only Asian student in class, she often felt like an outcast and faced stereotypes about being a martial artist, leading to frequent fistfights. To provide her with a sense of cultural identity, her parents exposed her to Chinese traditions, enrolling her in Kung-fu school on Saturdays and going out for dim sum after Chinese school in Chinatown on Sundays.
After graduating from Baruch College, Yin became fascinated with the Chinese contribution to American history, a subject that was not well-covered during her public school education. As a hobby, she wrote essays and journals about her experiences as a Chinese-American and her curiosity about her ancestors' experiences in America. During her subway rides to work as a Wall Street analyst, she found time to reflect and write.
Yin's husband, Chris Soentpiet, is an award-winning children's book illustrator. Encouraged by him, she approached Patricia Gauch, a chief editor at Philomel Books, about turning Chinese achievements into a picture book. The publishing house supported her idea, and she was determined to be historically accurate in her research. From the ships used to the tools employed in building railroads during that era, no detail was overlooked. To understand Chinese customs better, Yin sought guidance from her parents, who were proud and knowledgeable advisors to Coolies.
With passion, dedication, and the support of her family, Yin brought Coolies to life, shedding light on an essential part of American history through the eyes of Chinese immigrants who contributed to building the transcontinental railroad. This is a partial list where COOLIES and many amazing books are banned. https://pen.org/banned-books-florida/