When it comes to supporting a Black child’s budding identity, the concept of positive depiction is an incredibly powerful prospect. Not only does it bolster self-image, critical thinking, good mental health and academic performance, but it also imparts evidence that they are smart, lovable and are worthy of being seen.
And while children typically look to central figures like parents and teachers for proof of who they are, having access to a literary outlet – one that illuminates their appearances, cultures and ways of life – is arguably the most dynamic form of representation ever put at their disposal.
Research has shown that when our children see positive representations of their Blackness in books – such as role models and other individuals doing great things – the diverse portrayal of characters and experiences instills a level of pride and empathy that significantly impacts their confidence and future aspirations. They are empowered to strive for greatness while developing an understanding for individuals who are unlike themselves.
Such was the consideration of these critical perspectives toward which a wonderful, new coffee-table book was born. Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora, a collection of stunning fantasy photos designed by photographers Regis and Kahran Bethencourt, boldly reimagines classic fairy tales with powerful portrayals of Black children.
New age adaptations of Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty are only a few of the magnificent stories of Crowned, where the husband-and-wife duo of Atlanta-based Creative Soul Photography gives the “royal treatment” to celebrating differences, challenging preconceived notions about fairy tale heroines and shattering traditional standards of beauty. In their version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, they illustrate the importance of self-worth rather than the preoccupation with material possessions: the bears are kind and good-natured, and “Goldi” rocks sneakers and magical locs.
The Bethencourts traveled the world to capture the most unique characteristics of those Black children who typically are not the first choice for fantasy and beauty shoots – but whose features lend themselves to why the book’s dreamy images are so special. Models with alopecia, cerebral palsy, albinism and vitiligo, those who have encountered bullying for their appearance, and a young girl who was fighting for the right to wear her own natural hair in South Africa are prominently highlighted in the publication. They stand in their power, with starring roles in the most commanding and influential tales that embody unlimited ability and strength while amplifying the importance of Black children seeing themselves.
Eight-year-old Lyric Agape, who posed as Snow White for Crowned – her feature is renamed “Ebony Black” – recounts in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, a painful memory of a classmate taunting her velvety, chocolate-hued complexion but offers a renewed perspective on physical appearances and what people can learn from the book. “She {the classmate} said my skin color wasn’t beautiful. She made fun of me and that really hurt my feelings”, Agape shared with Sunday Morning. “{However}, I want to say, don’t be ashamed of your skin tone because your skin tone is powerful, whether you’re Black, white, mixed, red, blue, yellow…anything.”
Agape proudly graces the book’s cover.
The inspiration for Crowned came from the Bethencourts’ mission to do away with conventional standards of European beauty when they noticed how many Black girls would arrive at their studio for photo shoots with straightened hair. They turned the need for children to see the versatility of natural hair into a collection of photos called the AfroArt series, that went viral on social media. However, their good efforts and success also made them a target for backlash and criticism about the lack of inclusivity of children from other races, particularly those with lighter skin and straighter hair – the type of imagery skeptics believed was a more accurate representation upon which fairy tales are based. Kharan shares her viewpoint on why that biased examination is grossly gratuitous: “It’s so important for people to understand that we haven’t had this representation, so it’s really a celebration – and we’re just trying to motivate and {are} trying to empower the Black youth around the world.”
For the Bethencourts, they hope the book’s photos and stories will teach Black children they don’t only deserve a “happily ever after,” but they are also entitled to enchanted happiness and validation right now.
“We’re just here to serve as dream makers {for Black children},” Kahran says. “Their uniqueness is their superpower. Don’t be afraid to show it.”
Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora is available for sale at all major retailers, including the following Black-owned bookstores:
