Reclaiming Mathematics for Black Children

Ten Little Monkeys jumping on the bed. 
One fell off and bumped his head. 
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
 "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

My sister Nicole, a.k.a. Aunt Nikki among our collective children used to lead our kids in a dramatization of this nursery rhyme, holding up the corresponding fingers to whatever verse they were on. Counting through the silly rhyme, jumping around, and pretending to fall and bump their heads is a cherished memory with Aunt Nikki.

Imagine my dismay when I learned that the song has a racist history.

I felt duped, betrayed, and angry. Black people have often been compared to and called monkeys as a racial slur, and to dehumanize us as a way to justify our oppression. The word “monkey” replaced the n-word or “darkies” to make it more…palatable. Now, the racism inherent in the verses of this song is glaringly obvious.

It’s not enough to remove the derogatory word and replace it with a seemingly harmless substitute. The sentiment still remains.

Even the nursery rhymes serve as a tool to dehumanize us…

Not anymore.

I reclaimed those cherished family moments by writing a new counting nursery rhyme. It’s called “Counting On Cousins” and celebrates the Black family while developing literacy and counting skills.

I’m going to publish the final version as a picture book. I also asked my big brother to write music for it.

From now on, the children in my family will recite this instead.