I, Too, Am Here: Morgan Christie Echoes Hughes, Raising a New Voice for This Generation

Inspired by the well-known poem I, Too by Langston Hughes, Morgan Christie’s most recent book, I, Too, Am Here, is a picture book that tells a moving story of identity and resilience. Bringing a fresh perspective to the picture book genre, this tale keys in on racism, immigration, and the idea of belonging. Christie and illustrator Marley Berot have collaborated to create an aesthetically striking piece.

The book opens with a breathtaking visual and the words “I, too, am here.” Berot’s artwork depicts a Black girl strolling through her neighbourhood, her figure towering over houses and rivalling the height of buildings. This artistic approach cleverly highlights the book’s central message: the obvious presence and importance of every human being, regardless of racial background.

Timeless Truths: How Family Stories Reveal Historical Challenges

Christie’s work presents a sequence of interrelated stories that each reflect a distinct aspect of the Black experience. Resilience is powerfully symbolised by the grandmother’s story of facing racism in her community. She responds not with wrath but with resolve when confronted with the nasty message “Go Home” painted on her fence, using heavy cans of brown paint to cover the offensive words.

The father’s story adds another element to the storyline, detailing his first sighting of snow and the brutal reception he received from his classmates. Christie skillfully contrasts the beauty of floating snow with the terrible reality of discrimination, showing how gentle snowflakes were turned into weapons of exclusion.

Christie demonstrates the ever-present nature of racism through these intergenerational narratives. The mother’s story provides crucial historical background, mentioning the Jim Crow South, when laws denied Black people equal rights. She talks about how people were not treated fairly at the time and how many of them were battling for their rights. The mother’s story makes a powerful point about how this kind of treatment was common in other places and how discrimination like this is still around today.

“I, Too, Am Here”: Asserting Presence and Belonging

The protagonist’s personal experience with racial discrimination in the classroom pulls these historical accounts into the present and shows how prejudice could influence even the youngest members of society. Christie crafts a strong thread of shared hardship and resiliency spanning generations by tying her character’s emotions to the experiences of her family members.

Throughout the narrative, Christie returns to the core concept expressed in the title, I, Too, Am Here. Comparing this declaration of existence and belonging against the antagonistic characters’ constant insistence to “Go back where you belong” makes it all the more moving. Christie’s writings oppose such racist rhetoric and defend the inherent value of Black people, people who have immigrated, and those that have been marginalised.

Cultural Touchstones: Introducing Literary Heritage to New Generations

The author’s decision to incorporate elements from Langston Hughes’ I, Too deepens her narrative and connects it to a rich tradition of African American literature while expanding its reach to Caribbean and Canadian literary forms. This connection not only enriches the story for adult readers, but also introduces younger audiences to a significant cultural touchstone.

I, Too, Am Here is an invaluable resource for inspiring critical dialogues regarding inclusion, race, and identity. Christie’s careful handling of these tough topics makes them approachable to readers without oversimplifying or undervaluing their importance.

The book’s collaborative approach—Berot’s vivid images complementing Christie’s words—creates an immersive experience for readers. Every picture deepens the text’s meaning and encourages in-depth thought.

About Morgan Christie:

Morgan Christie is an author whose varied body of work encompasses multiple genres. She was recently awarded the 2023 Prairie Fire Fiction Prize and 2023 silver National Magazine Award for poetry. The novella Liddle Deaths (Stillhouse Press, 2024) and the prize-winning essay collection Boolean Logic (Howling Bird Press, 2023) are two of her most recent works. Christie is also the author of These Bodies (Tolsun Books, 2020), People Without Wings (Digging Press, 2024), and four poetry chapbooks. Her work has appeared in Callaloo, Writer’s Digest, Prairie Fire, Arc Magazine, Prism International, the New Delta Review, and other literary journals. Christie has won several literary awards, such as the 2017 Alexander Posey Chapbook Prize, the 2022 Digging Chapbook Series Prize, and the 2022 Arc Poetry Poem of the Year Award. Media sites like Buzzfeed News, LA Weekly, Poets & Writers, and the London Post have featured her work, which frequently addresses themes of identity, race, and social justice.

Morgan Christie’s Website: https://www.morganchristiewrites.com/

I, Too, Am Here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Am-Here-Morgan-Christie/dp/1772603872

I, Too, Am Here on Second Story Press: https://secondstorypress.ca/products/i-too-am-here