Pink and Say

I’ve been putting off writing this post. Not because I don’t have so much to say and so much love for this book, but because I want to give this book what it deserves. 

Pink and Say is a true historical biography written about Pinkus Aylee and Sheldon Curtis, two Union soldiers in the Civil War. It centers around the relationship between the two when Sheldon (Say) is injured during a battle and is found by Pinkus (Pink). The first thing Say notices about Pink is his “rich mahogany” skin. He’s never seen anybody like him up close before. Pink threatens his own safety and the safety of his mother to nurse Say back to health before trying to return to the Union troops to fight “his fight”. 

Pink and Say confronts the reader with the prejudices and depth of hatred that humanity has had for groups of people based on appearances and beliefs.

Throughout the course of the story, Pink and Say form a bond that is more than friendship. They are family. They experience the darkest parts of the human experience together and come out connected in such a deep way that author and illustrator Patricia Polacco is the 4^th generation in her family to hear the story of Pink.  She wrote the book as a written memory of Pinkus Aylee because he had no living descendants to do this for him. 

Pink and Say confronts the reader with the prejudices and depth of hatred that humanity has had for groups of people based on appearances and beliefs. It leaves the reader solemn and sober, yet full of love and reverence. It reinforces the best parts of humans as well. How the power of human connection can go deeper than physical appearance if we allow it to do so.  

This book gave me a profound understanding of the millions of nameless victims who have no gravestone, no obituary, no memorial service, and no living relatives to tell their stories long after they’ve gone. I haven’t read this book to my children yet, as the content is what I believe to be too mature for them. But, when I do, I hope it opens up a conversation we can continue for years to come.

So if you haven’t read this book, please do. And if you have, read it again. And after you have, say the name of Pinkus Aylee out loud and vow to remember him always. 

Emily

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