Why 'Black Panther' and other comic books belong in the classroom

With the massive success of “Black Panther,” the latest blockbuster from Marvel, the time is ripe for educators to embrace comic books as legitimate teaching and learning tools.

The movie is based on the superhero created by comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appearing in “Fantastic Four” #52, released in 1966. In that issue, for what turns out to be a defensible reason, the Black Panther, or T’Challa as he is also known, single-handedly takes down each member of the powerful all-white superhero team. During the height of the civil rights movement, this was a powerful statement indeed, providing a clear allegory to the tumultuous time.

My high school history students know how much I love Wednesdays, when new superhero titles are released. But as much as I enjoy getting my geek on, I’m also looking for comics that will help engage learners on important social issues, something comic books have been known to explore head-on.

Marvel’s 1979 Iron Man storyline, “Demon in a Bottle,” explores how a superhero struggles with alcoholism. If a person with a flying, nearly indestructible suit of armor can hit a low point, nobody is above asking for help. In the recently released Supergirl #19, DC Comics tackles school bullying and a non-binary teen opening up to her parents.

Of course, comic books, even those about superheroes, also deserve scholarly scrutiny as legitimate sources.

For example, I’m eager to introduce students to “The Uncanny X-Men,” originally released in 1963, also by Lee and Kirby. The comic features Professor X (a paraplegic and the world’s most powerful psychic), who, with his team of super-powered beings—mutants known as the X-Men—works toward a peaceful coexistence with humanity. The team often faces off against Magneto (a manipulator of magnetism) and his Brotherhood of Mutants, who resort to more aggressive means to achieve peace for their kind.

With the civil rights movement in mind, my juniors will consider how Xavier and Magneto correspond to the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, respectively. With this creative hook, students explore sources to further enhance their learning. I can’t take credit for this lesson, as other pop-savvy teachers also use it, and I’m uncertain where or from whom I borrowed the idea. What’s clear, though, is that comic books intensify student interest.

But don’t take just my word for it.

I connected with Carol L. Tilley, an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, whose scholarship focuses on comics, libraries and youth.

“Although comics have been making in-roads into K-12 classrooms and libraries in the past decade — following many decades of unnecessary disparagement and condemnation — we should look for opportunities to accelerate that embrace. If more young people can be spurred to engage with topics like colonialism and racism because of comics, we’ll be richer for it,” said Tilley, who was also a judge for the 2016 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards, the Oscars of the comic book world.

In 1976, I discovered, Marvel printed several issues in which Black Panther confronts the “Klan,” though the Ku Klux Klan is not directly mentioned. In “Jungle Action” #21, the superhero is even tied to a burning cross, before he escapes — through a combination of might, skill, and willpower — and puts the hurt on his captors. This issue is chock-full of worthy discussion, while also providing a seamless segue into discussing resistance movements – including the power to rise against oppression.

I also love that Ta-Nehisi Coates, one of the most influential African-American writers today, wrote two Black Panther series for Marvel and next will pen his own take on Captain America.

Four Books Every Woman Entrepreneur Needs To Read

Striking out and starting your own business is scary, and all too often women who are considering it get caught up in fear; “it’s too risky, and I don’t want to prove naysayers right by failing.” We have, as a society, done our best to suck all the gumption and drive out of far too many women, assuming we’d relegate ourselves to the domestic sphere instead of putting out boldly into the world.

It is a problem created by longstanding and deeply entrenched biases against ambitious women, but that doesn’t mean it’s an intractable one; we can, and must, seek out inspiration, or even inspire ourselves to push through, challenge ourselves, and chase after what we want. That’s why I’m going to share with you some of the books that inspire me as a businesswoman to keep fighting, keep striving, and keep pushing forward. These are leaders – men and women alike – whose insight, work ethic, and vision never fail to call me to be a better leader, a better thinker, and a better doer. I hope they’ll inspire you, too.

Broken Open - Elizabeth Lesser

This might seem like an unexpected place to start, but Elizabeth Lesser’s Broken Open has been a life-changer, not only for my personal life, but for my professional life as well. And why is that? Because it’s all about using moments of failure and hurt to spark positive growth and change. Essentially, it’s about openness and flexibility, and putting together the emotional toolbox to turn perceived failures into opportunities for development.

Simply put, that’s an invaluable skill – and mindset really – for a businesswoman to develop, because the world is very unkind to ambitious women. You will be challenged, attacked, frustrated, and hindered, and you need to have the ability to get right back into the saddle and turn that experience into something worthwhile. And if or when businesses or initiatives fail, it’s absolutely critical to not let that cripple your ambition and drive, but instead to use it as a kind of fuel. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back; be bold and go forward knowing that every setback brings you one step closer to success. That’s what Broken Open reinstills in me every time I read it.

Wonder Women: Sex, Power, and the Quest for Perfection - Debora Spar

To know where you are, you have to know where you’ve been, and Spar’s retrospective on the decades of Western feminism since the publication of The Feminine Mystique is a good crash course on the gains we’ve made as well as the ones we haven’t. This reality – that we’ve made very real progress but in so many ways remain fundamentally held back – is part of why I’m such a strong advocate for women’s entrepreneurialism: it’s essentially a bold power grab, a revolutionary act of economic and social independence.

That’s what makes Wonder Women such an important book: it’s all about understanding the impossible expectations women are subject to so we can break them down and essentially liberate ourselves from them, freeing us up to pursue our own goals and satisfy our own needs. The critical self-examination this book demands – how am I playing this game of my own volition? How is it harming me? – is a vital part of any woman’s ventures into as stereotypically a “man’s world” as business and a critical skill we must all develop if we seek any kind of meaningful self-freedom as both women and as individuals.

Used-Book Sale in McLean Changes Location

For the past 48 years, the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) used-book sale has always been held in the McLean Community Center. As that building is currently undergoing a renovation, the sale was moved to the Spring Hill Recreation Center.

#People flocked to the used-book sale, held on two separate floors: upstairs was a children's book room with families and kids, and downstairs were the books for adults.

#The book sale was hosted by The American Association of University Women which was founded in 1969. They use the funds raised from selling the books to sponsor scholarships for three local universities, George Mason, Marymount and Trinity University. The association also sponsors STEM programs for young girls and leadership and workforce trainings in the D.C. area.

#The AAUW has raised more than $675,000 over the years towards scholarships for women of all ages to pursue higher education.

#"It's good to get kids to still love books!" said Betsy Schroeder, co-president of the McLean area branch of the AAUW.

#The turnout was impressive as area residents, book lovers, and even independent booksellers showed up in droves to the three-day book sale that ran all weekend.

#"The most amazing thing for me to see is so much here to take your brain in a different direction. I've found books from my teaching to work. It's the best deal in town," said Peter Pin, McLean resident and manager at Verizon. "I just spent $50 and Blaine spent $100."

#Sunday was $10 bag day: Shoppers could bring in a shopping bag and fill it with books.

#"We've been trying to refine our collection to the most sellable books," said Schroeder. History and literature are the most popular genre amongst shoppers.

#Loren Willcock, an independent bookseller from Maryland also attended the used-book sale on Friday, Oct. 6. "It's a very nice book sale, with lots of space, everybody is friendly. A lot of times you can't fit two people shoulder to shoulder down an aisle at book sales," said Willcock. He stood in line for an hour waiting to get inside today and left with around 200 books.

#"This is a well-read area, so the wealth of books here is so important," said Blaine Miller, a McLean resident and consultant.

NIE asking for book donations to go towards used book sale

Chris Jackson/The Register-Herald Butch Freeman, right, and Pat Culicerto, work to sort used books for the Newspaper in Education Annual Book Sale last year. The book sale opens this year Nov. 9-11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and runs Sunday Nov. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The Register-Herald's Newspapers in Education program is asking for donations of used book for its 9th Annual Used Book Sale scheduled Nov. 9-12 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

Event coordinator Carla Nelson said the sale is the perfect opportunity for parents to bring their children and help them start their own little library.

"Reading unlocks so many adventures for children and adults," Nelson said. "And we would like to continue to receive book donations to go towards bringing that joy to others."

She said an array of different book genres will be up for grabs during the book sale, including everything from thrillers and romance to children's, how-to's and beyond.

"There will be something for everyone to enjoy."

Ernie Horn, Register-Herald Director of Audience Development, called the book sale one of the largest events of the year.

"It helps serves thousands across the region with newspapers through the Newspaper in Education program," he said.

Nelson said those interested in donating their used books can do so at any of the following drop-off locations:

l The Register-Herald Lobby

l The Fayette Tribune Lobby

l Kroger in Beaver, Beckley Crossing and Oak Hill

l Marquee Cinemas

l IGA Cornerstone in Mullens and Daniels

l Goodson's in Oceana and in Pineville

l Grant's in Oak Hill

The event will take place Nov. 9, 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Nelson said all proceeds from the book sale will go toward Newspaper in Education, which provides newspapers for projects in classrooms throughout the region.

"This is a great time for families to come out and enjoy all the books we will have to offer," she said. "And it's all for a great cause."

Collectible books and bargains abound at library used book sale

Neatly arranged on a group of tables labeled "Treasures" near the front of the community meeting room at the Billings Public Library is a collection of books only available for public purchase twice a year.

The "collectibles" as they're often referred to by volunteers from the Friends of the Billings Public Library, include volumes believed to be from the mid-19th century, autographed copies, Montana histories and anniversary editions of famous novels.

The collectibles were up for sale Friday as the Friends of the Billings Public Library fall used book sale opened to the public.

Except when the biannual book sales take place, the collectibles remain in storage.

Mixed in among the collectibles are texts catering to specific interests. Friday afternoon as the sale's first day wound down, a history of cowboy hats sat a table away from "Submachine Guns of the United States of America."

Set aside nearby was a 1981 illustrated edition of "Historic Homes of Billings."

"This is kind of the treasure box," said Joedi Johnson, one of two volunteers tasked with pricing the collection of odds and ends. "There are certain people who come here, and if they don't have these kind of special books and it's all the new books, I don't think they'd be happy, because they want to have little weird treasures that they might be able to find."

Montana histories are especially popular, Johnson said, gesturing toward a history of the town of Huntley. Johnson also leafed through copies of Billings Senior High yearbooks from the early 1920s. Called the "Kyote," one edition had both historical photographs of Billings and illustrations from a student.

Many of the books — like a battered collection of poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow dated 1849 — are only $5. Prices can rise to $50 or more depending on the value of the books.

"Honestly, if I see a person that really needs to have a book, we want to be sure they go home with it, whatever it takes. We might even have to sneak it into their car," Johnson said. "If it isn't enough of a deal, we could fix that."

Johnson said that earlier in the day she'd worked on the price of a "beautiful" book from the 1920s about Egypt in order to make sure a woman interested in the book could buy it.

Friday was the first day of the sale open to the public. Thursday evening the sale was open only to members of the Friends of the Billings Public Library.

One couple left Friday's sale with the help of a library cart loaded with their purchases. "The busier day is Friday," said Sue Bach, a volunteer who helped organize the sale. "Those people who just wait for this book sale are hardcore and are waiting at the door."

Waiting at the door means standing outside the library before it opens at 10 a.m.

Book categories available include fiction, nonfiction, classics, drama, poetry, hobbies, crafts, self-help, cookbooks, nonfiction and biography. Book prices are $2 for hardcover, $1 for trade paperbacks and 50 cents for small paperbacks. DVDs are $3 or priced as marked. Audiobooks are priced as marked. CDS are also available for purchase at the sale.

The sale opens again Saturday at 10 a.m. and will end at 4:30 p.m.

Money raised supplements a variety of library programs, Bach said.

"These books are 100 percent donated by the community," Bach said. "There's thousands of stories probably in terms of where these books come from. It is a gift outright from the community and a gift that is poured right back into the library."