A dreamer from Detroit… with words for the world.
In the Media
My areas of expertise are fantasy and science fiction, children’s books and media, and young adult fiction.
My academic fields are literacy, reading, and English language arts education. I have researched the role that children’s books play in introducing each generation to the harsh truths about slavery in the United States for the past 10 years.
‘There are no black people on Game of Thrones’: why is fantasy TV so white?
Ellen E. Jones, The Guardian, April 6, 2019
“We can have the best of intentions, but unless we’re thinking deeply about the fantasy worlds that we build, we will re-inscribe the cartographies of the known world into our stories,” says Thomas.
From 'Harry Potter' to 'Hunger Games,' here's why fantasy struggles to include black girls
Noah Berlatsky, NBC Think, June 21, 2019
“In my own childhood… if you were a Black girl in a story intended for children and teenagers, you were generally either (a) a slave, (b) fighting against and enduring Jim Crow, (c) marching for Civil Rights, (d) stuck in the ghetto and trying to get out, or (e) the suburban Black best friend. There were almost no other options.”
Nine black Hermiones, and 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' still won't talk race
Erika Milvy, Los Angeles Times, December 1, 2019
“This seems like a way to unofficially address concerns about diversity and inclusion in Harry Potter without officially responding to critiques.”
She speculated that the best way to protect the financial fortunes of the Potter franchise was simply not to discuss the race question publicly.
“The intellectual property is worth $25 billion, therefore it is in the best interest of all involved to keep the widest possible audience happy…”
The Dark Fantastic in the Media
Lovecraft Country: How a new horror series confronts racism in the US (The Guardian)
Children’s Literature as Seed Work (Penn Today)
Disney cast the Little Mermaid as a Black woman. Why that unnerved some is the same reason others rejoiced (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Racist and culturally offensive images pulled from hugely popular trading card game (Washington Post)
Entering The Dark Fantastic with Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Book Riot)
The Evolving Role of Race in Children’s Lit, From ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘The Hate U Give’ (EdSure)
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas on Magic, the Imagination Gap and "The Dark Fantastic" (School Library Journal)
Scholars weigh in on the inconsistencies of Daenerys’ Game of Thrones vengeance (Polygon)
Talking The Dark Fantastic on podcasts
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas on Leaving No One Behind (Imagine Otherwise)
Exploring the Dark Fantastic With Ebony Thomas (How Do You Like It So Far?)
L.D. Lewis, A Ruin of Shadows & Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, The Dark Fantastic (Skiffy and Fanty)
New Books: The Dark Fantastic (New Books Network)
Fansplaining: The Dark Fantastic, Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Episodes 7 & 120)
Writers After Dark #50: Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Slice of Sci-Fi)
Meet the Author of The Dark Fantastic, Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Talking About Books for Kids)
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas: The Dark Fantastic (This Is Not a Pipe)
Scholarship Spotlight - Tananarive Due & Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (AERA Writing and Literacies SIG)
Talking about slavery in children’s books
Selected media interviews on slavery in children’s books and classrooms
Hannah Knowles, “‘Set your price for a slave,’ a fifth-grade work sheet read. It landed the teacher on leave.” Washington Post, 10 December 2019.
Max Cohen, “Want the Real Truth About Slavery? Try These Books, Movies for Kids, Adults and Teachers.” USA Today, 6 November 2019.
Joe Heim, “The Third Rail in Early Childhood Education: When Are Children Old Enough to Learn About Slavery?” Washington Post, 28 August 2019.
Karen Turner and Jessica Machado, “The 1619 Anniversary: 5 Things People Still Get Wrong About Slavery.” Vox, 22 August 2019.
Nara Schoenberg, “Slavery in Children’s Books: What Works?” Chicago Tribune, 27 February 2016.
Sarah Seltzer, “How Two Slavery With a Smile Controversies Are Changing the Conversation About Diverse Children’s Books.” Flavorwire, 25 February 2016.
Eyder Peralta, “Teaching Kids About Slavery: Picture Books Struggle With the Task.” NPR All Things Considered, 22 January 2016.
Jennifer Schuessler, “‘A Fine Dessert’: Judging a Book By the Smile of a Slave.” New York Times, 6 November 2015.
Juleyka Lantigua, “Truth Be Told” (article about the teaching of the 2013 movie 12 Years a Slave in US high schools), JET Magazine, 12 May 2014.
Jay Scott Smith, “How Do You Teach About Slavery in Schools Without Being Insensitive?” The Grio/MSNBC, 19 January 2012.
Interviews about other topics can be found in the media section of my academic CV.
Upcoming Events
“we hope for better things; it shall arise from the ashes”
—City of Detroit motto. Attributed to Father Gabriel Richard, Great Fire of 1805.