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The Power of Affirmations
As a child I struggled a lot with self esteem, of course I didn’t know about the five love languages then; at some point I felt unloved😂. As I became a teenager and started reading widely, I knew that what I lacked was words of affirmations. And as I got those words from my paternal uncle I blossomed like a rose.There is a moment that happens in every Black boy’s childhood when the world begins to whisper lies about who he is supposed to be. Maybe it happens on a playground when someone assumes he is older than he actually is. Maybe it occurs in a classroom when his enthusiasm is labeled as aggression. Maybe it starts when he notices that the heroes in his favorite stories rarely look like him.These moments are subtle at first. A sideways glance here. A nervous clutch of a purse there. A teacher who seems surprised when he excels academically. But they accumulate like tiny cuts until a bright curious joyful child begins to internalize messages that were never meant for him.What if we could interrupt that narrative before it takes root? What if we could flood our boys with such powerful affirmations of their worth that negative messages simply could not find space to grow?
The Power of Intentional Affirmation
This brings us to I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes beautifully illustrated by Gordon C. James. This is not just another picture book. This is a declaration of war against every lie that society tries to tell Black boys about their value and their potential.From the very first page this book celebrates the Black boy’s: joy, self worth and limitless potential. It is a love letter written directly to every boy who needs to be reminded that they are strong, smart , creative, kind and full of promise. It speaks with the authority of someone who understands both the beauty of the Black boyhood and the forces that threaten to diminish it.The text flows like poetry but hits like truth. Each page builds upon the last creating a crescendo of affirmation that leaves readers feeling powerful and seen. This is not just a story. It is an experience. It is a confidence boost wrapped in vibrant illustrations. It is a hug in book form.
This Book Matters Right Now
We are raising Black boys in a world that often sees them as problems before it sees them as possibilities. Statistics about achievement gaps and incarceration rates dominate conversations about their futures. Media representations too often focus on struggle without celebrating strength. I Am Every Good Thing offers a radical alternative. It insists that Black boys are not problems to be solved or statistics to be worried about. They are wonders to be celebrated. They are gifts to be treasured. They are forces of good in the world who deserve to know their own magnificence.The book acknowledges the full spectrum of what makes boys beautiful and complex. It celebrates their athleticism without reducing them to their physical abilities. It honors their intelligence without requiring them to prove it constantly. It recognizes their creativity, kindness, kindness, curiosity and their capacity for leadership.
Perfect for Every Moment
This book works beautifully for reading aloud when you want to fill your living room with affirmation and joy. It is perfect for bedtime when you want your child’s last thoughts before sleep to be about their own greatness. It makes an incredible gift for any special boy in your life who needs to hear that they are amazing just as they are.
The Ripple Effect of Affirmation
When we regularly affirm our boys with books like I Am Every Good Thing we are not just making them feel good in the moment. We are building their internal voice. We are teaching them how to speak to themselves when we are not around. We are giving them language to counter negative messages they might encounter.Children who grow up hearing consistent affirmation develop stronger self esteem, better academic performance and more positive relationships. They learn to see themselves as capable and worthy. They develop the confidence to pursue their dreams and the resilience to overcome obstacles.But the impact goes beyond individual children. When Black boys know their worth they change the entire dynamic of every space they enter. They show up differently. They expect to be treated with respect. They refuse to accept less than they deserve.
A Call to Action
If you are looking for a book that shouts “You are amazing just as you are” this is absolutely it. But more than that this is a call to examine how we are speaking to the boys in our lives every single day.Are we consistently affirming their goodness? Are we celebrating their unique gifts? Are we helping them see themselves as the heroes of their own stories? Are we giving them tools to counter the negative messages they will inevitably encounter?I Am Every Good Thing reminds us that affirmation is not a luxury for Black boys. It is a necessity. It is medicine. It is armor. It is the foundation upon which confident capable caring men are built.Every boy deserves to know that he is every good thing. Every boy deserves to carry that truth in his heart wherever he goes. Every boy deserves to believe in his own unlimited potential.So today and the rest of this holiday, praise, validate and keep speaking positive words over your children. Especially your precious boys.
