In Feather Boas, Black Hoodies, and John Deere Hats, Jones once again challenges our beliefs about difference and acceptance. As one reviewer writes, “through a series of rich narratives, Jones provides examples of attitudes, experiences, and institutional acts that continue to propagate the marginalization of people in our communities. Intertwined within these stories are thoughtfully selected ideas to help us understand that embracing difference, and not merely respecting it, can be the catalyst for real change in all of us.”

The book engenders a dialogic space for individuals to grapple with the idea of difference and the importance of inclusion in educational environments, and by extension broader society.

Joseph R. Jones, PhD, is a teacher/academic. His scholarly work examines issues of diversity and multiculturalism in educational settings and by extension the broader society. Jones has published copiously on the topic and has numerous recognitions for his scholarship, most recently the 2017 Stonewall Service Award from CCCC/NCTE. Recently, he returned to the high school classroom as a special education teacher in a co-taught English classroom to help address issues of bullying within schools.