Local author continues exploring racial and educational issues
“A Black First: The Blackness Continues” is a thought-provoking new book by local author, educator and community leader Peter E. Carter.
In this volume, Carter continues the autobiographical journey he began with the April 2020 publication of “A Black First.” He examines events following his move to Sussex County, Delaware from New Jersey after retiring from a 36-plus-year career in public and private school education.
He ponders the existence of Black lives, successes therein, and the questioning of that combination. At the end of this book, he asks, "How do Black Lives Succeed?" As an immigrant, prominent educator, loved and loathed leader, and Black male, he is the embodiment of that question. The answer, "By being exceptionally good at what you do,” were words from his mother that he always carried with him.
With experience as an interim superintendent, expert witness, school volunteer and advocate for children, his post-career service to education provides readers a peek behind the curtain to learn what school leaders do to ensure all children have the resources to succeed. Educators struggling to understand the nuances of educating black children, alone and alongside white children, can learn from his reflections. The book details his journey of weathering the storms of racism and bigotry, and his victories as he overcomes those obstacles.
Human beings trying to analyze child abuse, and those being the 'first' and facing the realities of not being 'next' can be inspired by this book, and Carter’s assertion that while life appears black and white, exceptional has no color.
Carter retired to Delaware in 2005, but he still stays active in education, assisting his former colleagues as they develop their reopening plans and also serving as an expert witness in litigation involving education. Locally, he serves on the boards of the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation and the Delaware Botanic Gardens.
His books are available at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, and online via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
