Diversity in literature-- what does that mean?

Another aspect to self-publishing that is very liberating. In bookstores, it seems that if the author is black then their work will be tucked away into the African American heritage section. With self-publishing, I have the power to classify my work anyway that I choose to.

When addressing the lack of diversity in literature, is it about the lack of stories with diverse characters or is it about the lack of minority writers writing about their experiences?

I am a member of a few message boards for authors. I also try to remain tuned into twitter trends about readership and demand. Over the last year, there have been a few trending events around the lack of diversity in literature. From my observation, it seemed like most minority readers were protesting the lack of minority authors and the lack of stories with authentic minority characters. I remember looking at twitter and seeing authors--many of them white--posting links to their stories that happened to have minority characters.

That experience didn't sit well with me. I felt like it was manipulation or exploitation for them to do this. I think when a minority reader is saying that they want stories with minority characters, they don't strictly mean a story that happens to have a main character with a brown face and an "ethnic" name. I think what they are really looking for is a story that reflects the culture or community of which they belong. They want to immerse themselves in an authentic experience.

I think some authors jumped on the bandwagon knowing that there is a lack of diversity in fiction, but some--or many of them--failed in their execution of these stories.

I gave this quite a bit of thought, especially after the events of yesterday with Jolie, who has subsequently resigned from this forum. 

She was raised in a White community and cannot feel comfortable in discussions about race that are casual to most minorities because to participate challenges what she feels about herself racially, despite cries of being so secure with herself and her domestic situation. (I have to say, if my significant other went to such great pains to avoid discussion of his heritage and it's impact on the world at large, I'd be looking at him sideways, but I digress.)

Applying the above conjecture to Whites writing minority characters, I think we have several dynamics at play.

I think there are Whites (any race really) who are "writing to market". Not meant to be insensitive, but if Asians are selling, that's what they write. (The same as folks who write werewolves or vampires or whatever is selling).

Then there are those who truly want to include a diverse range of characters, but since they have no frame of reference, the characters are hollow. (Brown faces, no trace of actual culture OR only write the stale stereotypes. They mean well, but are ineffective.)

Then there are those who either have intimate knowledge of minorities because of growing up around them, living amongst them or have done extensive research. Their characters ring true and are textured and nuanced in ways that have the actual minority members stand up and take notice.)

James Caan is long remembered and has gotten MANY awards from Italian groups for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. He is accepted by Italians and routinely has been sought out for recognition by them.

James Caan is a Jew.

He has said in many interviews that he has trouble convincing Italians that he isn't one of them. They are not trying to hear that. But because he grew up in a New York neighborhood where he knew Italians personally, he was able to accurately recreate mannerisms, slang, he could be more than a caricature in his performance and Italians saw this, enjoyed and respected the extra effort.

This goes for writers who want to create ANY character as more than a one dimensional caricature.



Go the extra mile to research and write outside of YOUR comfort zone to engage your readers at THEIR comfort zone. At the very least, you might learn something new.