Fostering Diversity in Children's Literature and Media with Dawn-Maria France

Still Talking Black

Imagine a world where all children, no matter their background, see themselves represented positively in the books they read. That's the world our guest, Dawn-Maria France , is working tirelessly to create. From the UK, Dawn-Maria uses her talent and platform to diversify the narrative of children's literature, ensuring that children from marginalized communities find their voices in the characters they encounter. She passionately shares her journey and underlines the significance of representation in shaping young minds.
Journalism, a tool that gives voice to the voiceless and holds power to account, is also a topic we delve into with Dawn-Maria. Her perspective as a Black journalist in the UK sheds light on the unique challenges and rewards that come with this noble profession. We traverse the landscape of free speech and its manifestation in social media, particularly in the wake of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter. As we grapple with the balance between free speech and censorship, Dawn-Maria's insights lead us to understand how each of us can responsibly use these platforms to initiate positive change.
We also scrutinize the media's biased coverage of Meghan Markle and the racist backlash she faced from the public and her own family. This conversation unveils the hidden layers of racism prevalent in society and stresses the need for critical thinking in the information age. From analyzing the perception of racism in the US from an outside perspective to emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and care, my conversation with Dawn-Maria is an enlightening deep dive into poignant societal issues.

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Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com
Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Chapters

1. Representation and Empowering Children Through Books (00:00:00)

2. The Impact and Importance of Journalism (00:06:24)

3. Free Speech on Social Media (00:21:53)

4. Government Control and Social Media (00:28:31)

5. Media Scrutiny of Megan Markle's Racism (00:33:22)

6. Racism in US and UK Perception (00:46:26)

7. Pleasure and Gratitude on Podcast (00:53:35)