“Yes, my skin makes me who I am / It doesn’t disappear in the rain / I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world, no matter what people say”. In the summer of 2020 song lyrics My skin were on everyone’s lips and the piece, of all parties. Rapper Sarahmée, who had just unveiled the music video accompanying this reggae-sounding tune, was a hit on listening platforms.
Popularized in the wake of the murder of African-American George Floyd at the hands of a police officer, the song – presented as an ode to human beauty in all its diversity, as well as a symbol of pride and solidarity – does not has lost none of its relevance.
Seduced by its messages of fairness and self-esteem, the publishers of the Kata house had the idea of making it an object: a dynamic and catchy children’s book that celebrates difference.
My works sometimes contain provocative or shocking messages that are more intended for adults. This time, it was interesting to adapt the format to a younger audience without distorting my work, and without reducing its impact.
“I was immediately won over by the project, emphasizes Sarahmée, met by The duty at the book store Roots Montreal, which highlights the literature of racialized and Indigenous writers. It’s special to come back to a text that has already had its life. It allowed me to reread the words, to rewrite passages, to reassess my thinking. Putting them in pictures also gives them more weight, as if materiality made them more real. »
book illustration My skin was entrusted to visual artist Niti Marcelle Mueth, whose work revolves around the experiences of Indigenous, Black and People of Color (IPOC) communities. Her inclusive and committed vision immediately seduced the rapper. “I had a big crush on Niti. Her illustrations touched me, by the way she gave expression to her characters, by the form and the movements that inhabit them. The book is only the beginning of our collaboration. »
The message of the song also corresponded perfectly to the values and the artistic mission of the illustrator. “My works sometimes contain provocative or shocking messages that are more intended for adults,” she says. This time, it was interesting to adapt the format to a younger audience without distorting my work, and without reducing its impact. »
A book for everyone
“I don’t want any more of these complexes that have colonized my self-esteem / Braids, dreadlocks or natural hair / You shine whether your skin is light, dark or ebony. Faithful to the feeling of pride conveyed by the song, Niti Marcelle Mueth values body diversity and the multiplicity of skin colors, hair styles and identities in her illustrations. Through four protagonists who reclaim their bodies to better assert themselves, build their self-esteem and their belonging to the world, the two artists do justice to the complexity of adolescence, and remind readers that what makes them unique is a precious gift.
“Although I write from my perspective and my experience as a black woman, I think everyone can relate to it, no matter what difference they want to celebrate,” says Sarahmée. Everyone, at some point in their life, has questioned their appearance, their self-acceptance, their belonging, found themselves too fat, too thin, too pale, too dark. The book really makes it possible to exploit the theme to its full potential. »
The illustrations also brilliantly reflect the musicality of the text. Some strong segments of the music video are also integrated into it. “We wanted to make sure that we didn’t lose the essence of the starting material,” explains Niti Marcelle Mueth. It was a great challenge to transpose this danced and festive side into images. I added colors, movement and dynamism to make you want to sing or listen to the song just by seeing the images. »
Commitment
The result is between pedagogy and work of art, while being careful not to fall into the infantilizing. Niti Marcelle Mueth and Sarahmée trust young people in their ability to appropriate the message, to share it, or to put the book in the library to better come back to it. “It is the strength of the book, to allow this continuous reflection. When I write, I’m not there to educate people or take them by the hand. Here is what I write, after you manage. It’s up to you to interpret it, to live it, to feel it. Young people today are on and on the lookout. They are aware of all the causes, of all the movements, and are able to hold a discourse on intersectionality. Personally, I was certainly not so lucid at 15 years old. I have no doubt that they will know what to do with it,” says Sarahmée, laughing.
It’s special to come back to a text that has already had its life. It allowed me to reread the words, to rewrite passages, to reassess my thinking. Putting them in pictures also gives them more weight.
The rapper also offers a gift to her fans, by including a more intimate documentary segment at the end of the book, where she looks back on her career and reveals her musical influences – from IAM to MC Solaar, via Diam’s and Aretha Franklin.
She also opens up about her vision of feminism and its imperfections, and shares the strength and courage given to her by the #MeToo movement. She denounces the sexism inherent in her profession, while she is constantly brought back to her appearance. “Every day, I am reminded that I am a woman, I am reminded all the time, that I dress well, that I am beautiful. People talk to me about a lot of things, except my music,” she wrote.
“This objectification is the lot of all women in music. People always talk to you about your image, comment on your looks, your hairstyle, your physical shape, your beauty… It tires me. Can we skip to content? Guys don’t have that treatment. They are judged on their music, their lyrics, their technique and their attitude. Women, we don’t have that latitude. »