Do Ethnic Writers Write for Everyone?

Very serendipitously, I just came upon a post at GalleyCat that mentions how during and interview:

“Wall Street Journal, Robert Hughes comes right out and asks [Jhumpa Lapiri], “Have you ever
thought of writing about non-Indians?
” To which her answer is, actually, “I
don’t think that way when I’m writing stories. I just write from the point of
view of some individual, trying to form a character who happens to be those
things.”

Wow, no way, seriously? I’m offended and I wasn’t there and don’t even have nothing to do with it.

This question would never come up if the author wasn’t a person of color and a woman at that.

Can you imagine – asking any of the “DWEM” who they wrote for? Of course not – because by default they wrote for everyone, while any one else – woman or other minority – write for ‘their people’ – indicating the persistence of the idea that this sort of lit. cannot transcend marginalization and thereby doesn’t speak to everyone – like a darn good book should.

I know better, I can’t be the only one.

Thoughts?

Author

Spread the love

More Articles for You

Portuguese Ethnicity in Puerto Rico

According to a chronology, made available by the Library of Congress, in 1593, “Portuguese soldiers, sent from Lisbon by order …

Spread the love

The Italian at a Glance

Becoming Italian Back in December 2020, I started a new research project on Instagram, @ItalianAtAGlance to curate and share some …

Spread the love

Dale! The Diasporican Cookbook

Illyanna Maisonet is an amazing writer. I’ve followed her online and read her deeply personal newsletter for years. As a …

Spread the love

Understanding The Children’s Train by Viola Ardone

Based on a true events, with more than 5,922 ratings on Goodreads, when I saw The Children’s Train, by Viola …

Spread the love

Searching the 1950 Census: Things I didn’t Know about East Harlem & Vito

I always thought 2nd Avenue was expansive. I have fond memories of playing in the open “pompa” – Spanglish for …

Spread the love

Frida on Chestfeeding: A Study in Empathy and Deep Customer Understanding

Really well done Frida Mom! This is how you resonate with your audience. Author Literanista Spread the love

Spread the love