Abolitionist Picture Book (Tan)

Tan Zhou

Born and raised in a family of teachers and educators in a small town called Yiwu in China, I never imagined I would have the privilege of sitting in a classroom across the globe, surrounded by peers who share my passion for education as a bridge to a better, shared future. This experience has deepened my understanding of how, regardless of our origins, educational inequalities and injustices—shaped by socioeconomic conditions and cultural identities (gender, race, etc.)—are unfortunately common themes worldwide.

Recognizing these shared challenges, my journey has taught me the importance of cultivating a well-rounded perspective and embracing a growth mentality to build a future for all humanity. This realization drives my commitment to discussing these issues with both my generation and those that follow, ensuring that we collectively work towards a more equitable world.

In this spirit, I was inspired to create a picture book as a tool to spark meaningful dialogue. By combining this medium with discussion questions and historical resources, I hope to make complex topics more accessible and engaging. A picture is worth a thousand words, and while my first attempt at a picture book may not convey thousands of messages, I believe the reading guide and discussion questions will help facilitate important conversations.

This short picture book is part of a project for my Education Studies seminar in Carleton College, where I explored abolitionist pedagogy in the context of U.S. society. Designed for students aged 6 and up, this book uses simple language and local context to engage young learners. Even at a young age, children are keenly aware of systematic discrimination and injustices. Though they may not have the vocabulary to express it, they can either internalize the status quo or be inspired to imagine and create a better world.

Recognizing the potential in young minds, it's crucial to introduce children early to books that address deeper problems created by adults, including issues of colonial oppression and exploitation. This idea was inspired by a chapter from Lessons for Liberation, titled “Artifacts from the End of the Prison Industrial Complex,” a classroom guide created by Evan Bissell and The Knotted Line that encourages students to imagine the future. This creative guide sparked my vision of a group of young explorers from 2250 looking back at our present by examining mundane artifacts that tell tales of brave fights for justice and peace.

Through the pictures and dialogue in the book, readers can explore how future generations might view our present. This perspective can be both interesting and surprising. The scope of discussion should extend beyond what is pictured or mentioned in the book. Ask yourself similar questions: if you were from a future world of peace and love, what injustices would no longer exist? Then, the question for us living today—how do we get there? 

In general, this picture book serves as a thought-provoking tool for our imagination, a space rarely touched or explored as we become more adult-like. If we have the power to reimagine the future, perhaps we also have the power to recognize the pain from the past and recreate our future together. Liberation is not achieved unless it’s liberation for all. As a reader, your first step is to simply start reimagining—a task without other requirements but a heart full of profound love and dedication to humanity. Folks from around the world, what are you waiting for?