A conversation with Tim Spofford, author of "What the Children Told Us"

American Writers Museum presents a discussion with author and historian Tim Spofford about his new book "What the Children Told Us." Unfolding like a novel, this is the true story of two young Harlem psychologists who developed the famous "Doll Test," the path-breaking experiment that played a key role in the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling against segregated school systems. For Kenneth and Mamie Phipps Clark, this was just the opening act in their struggle for justice and racial integration. This conversation originally took place February 6, 2024 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. For a full list of upcoming programs and events with the American Writers Museum, click here: americanwriter...
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM's special exhibit "Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice," on display now at the AWM through May 26, 2024. Learn more here: americanwriter...
About "What the Children Told Us:"
Does racial discrimination harm Black children’s sense of self? The Doll Test illuminated its devastating toll.
Dr. Kenneth Clark visited rundown and under-resourced segregated schools across America, presenting Black children with two dolls: a white one with hair painted yellow and a brown one with hair painted black. "Give me the doll you like to play with," he said. "Give me the doll that is a nice doll." The psychological experiment Kenneth developed with his wife, Mamie, designed to measure how segregation affected Black children’s perception of themselves and other Black people, was enlightening―and horrifying. Over and over again, the young children―some not yet five years old―selected the white doll as preferable, and the brown doll as "bad." Some children even denied their race. "Yes," said brown-skinned Joan W., age six, when questioned about her affection for the light-skinned doll. "I would like to be white."
"What the Children Told Us" is the story of the towering intellectual and emotional partnership between two Black scholars who highlighted the psychological effects of racial segregation. The Clarks’ story is one of courage, love, and an unfailing belief that Black children deserved better than what society was prepared to give them, and their unrelenting activism played a critical role in the landmark "Brown v. Board of Education" case. The Clarks’ decades of impassioned advocacy, their inspiring marriage, and their enduring work shines a light on the power of passion in an unjust world.
Order your copy of "What the Children Told Us" here: bookshop.org/a...
TIM SPOFFORD has taught writing and journalism in schools and colleges and has a Doctor of Arts in English degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He's published articles in the New York Times, Newsday, Mother Jones, Columbia Journalism Review and other publications. He also worked as a copy editor, most recently at the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, where he coached young editors.