Tiffany Jewell ’03 had never thought of herself as an author when, in late 2018, a publisher approached her with the idea of writing a children’s book on antiracism. A Montessori educator, Jewell had always taught through a social justice lens and recently began sharing her lessons and ideas on Instagram. “She’d seen my postings and said, ‘Nobody's writing about antiracism. And it's something we need,’” said Jewell.
The result—This Book Is Anti-Racist—was written in three and a half months—in the moments during Jewell’s lunch break and after her children went to bed—and was published in January 2020. Subtitled 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work, the book encourages children and teens to examine racism and its origins, reflect on their own identity, and feel empowered to stand up and resist. Jewell describes it as “a love of labor for liberation.”
The deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd later that year catapulted the book into the public eye: “Everybody started buying books that had racism or anti racism in their title,” said Jewell. It made the New York Times and USA Today best-seller lists, and was recommended by Oprah’s Book Club, Guardian, and Time, among others. But the attention also led to the book being banned in some schools and libraries. “I think mostly from the title alone,” reflected Jewell. “I don't think the people who are banning it have actually read it.”
A transfer student from Wells College, the English literature major had originally been interested in medical research, but she soon realized she preferred reading and books. With revised plans to become a high school English teacher, she took education classes at Ithaca College, which took her into local schools and the broader community. But it was her semester at IC’s London Center during her junior year that cemented her choice of vocation. “It was incredible,” she said. “It’s one of those experiences where I hope my children will have a very similar opportunity.”