Together med Emily Joof
30 APRIL 2021, STOCKHOLM
HEJA LIVET TOGETHER med Emily Joof! Emily flyttade till Sverige för 10 år sedan och skriver bland annat barnböcker. Vi pratar om att skriva för, och tack vare, barn, mångfald i kulturen, och hur de får sina barn att känna sig inkluderande i alla rum. Plus massa bra tips på inkluderande plattformar, böcker med mera!
”I am empowered and emboldened by the change I see and proud to be part of a larger process for more inclusion.”
EMILY JOOF
Hi, who is Emily?
I am a Gambian-Malian-French- naturalised Swede. I love travel, tacos, sushi, dancing and the sun. I am a strong people person, one of those who talk to new people on the bus and strikes up conversations at ICA.
I work as an Education Advisor for Rädda Barnen and I am also a writer of small pieces of poetry and children’s books. Perhaps most importantly I am a wife, daughter, sisters, mom and friend to beautiful people.
Your two young children are your inspiration and drive to write children’s books. Can you tell us more about this?
I often say that before becoming a parent, all I did was scribble, but once I had my children my writing gained purpose and direction. As afroswedes, I wanted to share with my children stories where they belong. All my stories are inspired by conversations, moments, and situations around my children, so saying my children are my inspiration is not an exaggeration.
My book next book Det Djupa Blå, which comes out 21st May with Raben Sjögren is about my daughter’s fear of water and learning to swim.
Later this year my fourth book will be out Ballet with Heart is about my son and his love of classical dance. In both these books, I found a lesson that children everywhere can relate to, a powerful moment of learning but also joy that I want to share with the world.
When your 4 year old daughter told you she didn’t want to be brown anymore, you said: ”I could not change the world she lived in, but I could change how she lived in the world.” How did you start doing this?
I started by being intentional with what I read to her, I made sure she could see herself in a truer light through books. We did the same with music and songs. We made sure there was diversity in her surroundings, like at ballet class for example. I wanted to create a space where she felt important, beautiful and strong.
Hair was a big part of what we focused on too. I helped her to see that her hair was magical, whatever she could dream up, we would recreate.
Part of being a visible minority is having to deal with being ‘othered’ and not fitting in, which can be very tough for children. Like all children, my girl loved playing make-believe as Pippi, or Elsa and so she wanted ‘Elsa hair’ or rainbow hair, whatever it was, it was important for me to show her that everything was possible.
And you know what, it worked! Today she is comfortable in her skin and in her hair and that is all that we could ever wish for.
10 years ago, you moved to Sweden. Do you see a change here today of inclusion and diversity, both in everyday life and in culture?
Sweden is like everywhere else, and nothing is static so I certainly see change. I see that there is more room to talk and reflect on inclusion and diversity. I also notice more visible diversity in ads, in marketing especially. We also have incredible organisation like MeR Barnkultur, and publishers like Olika Förlag pushing the discussion forward. We have also have more individuals who are often marginalized, taking back and owning the spaces in which they exist through, art, food, media and social movements. I am empowered and emboldened by the change I see and proud to be part of a larger process for more inclusion. I hope that we continue and dig deeper to address the more systematic elements of exclusion in society.
Do you think there is something adults can learn from reading or reflecting on children’s book?
Absolutely, I often say picture books are for everyone. I have met so many adults who have learnt about climate movements or history through children’s books. Children’s books can exist between fact and fiction. They are a safe space to explore history and the future we hope to see. They are a wonderful window to discovery about other people and culture. We must be brave and curious in our choice of books, there is space in our reading mind for books we grew up with and love AND new books that present ideas, cultures, and celebrations and people that are we can discover.
What are your dreams right now?
I am the kind of person who goes for her dreams, if I want it I go for it. Interestingly enough I am not afraid of failure, neither am I a perfectionist so I often achieve my dreams as they are n my own terms. Perhaps my most constant dream is to have good strong relationships with those I meet and love. And for my children to always feel whole. In this moment I am living that dream.
Finally, any other tips on inclusive platforms, blogs, books etc to share both with young and old ones?
For childrens books you will have to follow my Instagram page @mbife_books where I share the books I find and recommend.
I buy a lot of books from Elsa och Sam and a little book store called Bokskogen. Every book in there makes me happy!
I follow Aysha Jones Blog too she speaks with vulnerability and honesty that I really admire.
I would like to highlight Du Har Rätt written by Jason Timbuktu Diakité, and Matilda Westerman. Because at the heart of Inclusion is the Convention on the Rights of the Child and their book is a wonderful place to start.
With the kids we have been enjoying to read the stories from Godnattsagor för Rebelltjejer and Handbok för Superhjältar on Spotify, each chapter is a little story.
And I listen a lot to the following podcasts: This Moment, Raseriet, The Michelle Obama Podcast och Vidga Normen Podcast
* * *
Vill du följa Emily och hennes böcker, finns mer på Instagram @mbife_books