Reviewed by Deborah Jung
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Doyin Richards
While Watch Me tells an inspiring story for young children, it also perpetuates some common tropes about immigrant success stories that downplay the impact of systemic barriers. Joe is a driven young immigrant to the United States from Sierra Leone who becomes a successful doctor, despite predictions that he will not even finish school. The book depicts struggles faced by African immigrants, such as racism, xenophobia, and having to adjust to a foreign culture. It encourages young readers to empathize with Joe and immigrants like him. In an explicit rejection of common anti-immigrant beliefs, the book stresses that everyone should be welcome in the United States, since “there is enough for everyone.” Immigrant children and children of color may also relate to Joe’s rejection of stereotypes, which predict that he will underperform in school, and be inspired by his academic and professional success. It is one of too few books about African immigrants and colorfully depicts Joe’s birth country of Sierra Leone, if only in passing. Additionally, the book is written by someone with a personal connection to the subject matter — the author, Doyin Richards, based the story on the life of his own father.
Unfortunately, Watch Me falls into the “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” trope common in immigrant success stories. Joe manages to “overcome” systemic barriers through his own personal effort and intelligence. After he becomes a doctor, he is no longer shown to be struggling with racism and xenophobia. These issues are depicted as temporary roadblocks that are eventually nullified by Joe’s academic and career success. Readers may come away with the impression that individual effort and merit are sufficient to overcome systemic issues such as racism and poverty, and thus, that immigrants who are not as successful as Joe are just not hardworking or intelligent enough. Additionally, “bootstrapping” narratives promise that assimilation and conventional success will end discrimination, ignoring the central role of organizing to challenge systemic barriers.
Watch Me also perpetuates ideas of American exceptionalism. While it is true that the material conditions in the United States are generally better than those in Sierra Leone, the book treats it as a foregone conclusion that Joe, or anyone else from Sierra Leone, must immigrate to the United States to follow their dreams. This trope is another common feature in immigrant success stories, which position immigration to the United States as proof of its exemplary nature. Simplistic narratives such as these present the United States as superior to other nations, ignoring American policies and practices that contribute to the conditions that force many people to make the excruciating decision to leave their family and country behind. This includes the history of imperialism and the current oversized role in climate change which contribute to the economic crisis in many countries in Africa and Latin America.
Overall, Watch Me provides an uplifting story about a young West African immigrant and works to counteract common anti-immigrant stereotypes. However, it also presents a reductive view of systemic racial and anti-immigrant barriers and uncritically promotes American exceptionalism.
Deborah Jung is an intern with Teaching for Change for Summer 2023. She is a rising senior at Dartmouth College, where she is majoring in sociology and minoring in history.
Watch Me by Doyin Richards
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 12, 2021
Genres: Immigration and Emigration
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Early Childhood, Grade K
ISBN: 9781250820235
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Publisher's Synopsis: A picture book about immigration, Watch Me is based on the author's father's own story.
Joe came to America from Africa when he was young. He worked hard in school, made friends, and embraced his new home. Like so many immigrants before and after him, Joe succeeded when many thought he would fail.
In telling the story of how his father came to America, Doyin Richards tells the story of many immigrants, and opens the experience up to readers of all backgrounds. Here is a moving and empowering story of how many different people, from different places, make us great. Acclaimed artist Joe Cepeda brings the story to life with beautiful paintings, full of heart.
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