We Are Gems: Healing from Anti-Asian Microaggressions through Self-love & Solidarity

Reviewed by Zapoura Newton-Calvert

Review Source: Reading Is Resistance
Book Author: Ko Kim

I saw We Are Gems on social media and was interested in the focus on solidarity and healing. This book was self-published by the author and illustrators through their writing collective, Just Words, Just Deeds. There is an upsurge in self-publishing the books that are needed in this moment.  While self-published works can be wild cards, there are a lot of jewels out there.

The book is framed as intergenerational, with an emphasis on connectivity and strength shared among generations. A work of non-fiction, the book  presents various ideas on how to heal from and respond to anti-Asian microaggressions; how to find strength and rootedness in solidarity and community with Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; and how to create just laws that move us toward liberation.

We Are Gems is very tuned into cross-identity solidarity. Throughout the text and in a thorough appendix section that will be helpful for adults guiding the learning, the book provides framing for dealing with the question: “Where are you from?,” in addition to challenging the model minority myth.

This book is both sweet and direct — calling in the ancestors to support young people in their liberation movements AND not shying away from naming white supremacy and settler colonialism as the roots of the racism and oppression they may face.

Author Ko Kim is Korean-American, illustrator Christine Yoon is Korean-American, and illustrator Andrew Hem is Cambodian-American. Ko Kim is an educator and activist who worked with the Native Governance Center in order to use decolonizing language throughout the book.

Zapoura Newton-Calvert serves as a fellow with Teaching for Change. She is a professor, emergent strategist, curriculum writer, and co-founder of Reading Is Resistance.

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We Are Gems: Healing from Anti-Asian Microaggressions Through Self-love & Solidarity by Ko Kim
Published by Ko Kim on 2022-05
Genres: Asian American
Pages: 34
Reading Level: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5
ISBN: 9780578285566
Review Source: Reading Is Resistance

Publisher's Synopsis: We Are Gems helps readers to critically question microaggressions against Asian Americans through self-love and solidarity with Black and Indigenous-led movements for justice and healing. It is a joyous celebration of Asian Americans and our history.

We believe that learning and living out racial justice starts at home, including on our bookshelves. That is why we wrote and illustrated We Are Gems (ages 8+). Check out our website for a free Common Core-aligned discussion guide: https: //www.justwordsjustdeeds.com/