I needed to read your column to affirm what I, also, believe. The historical novel I am writing has an African American woman (I am white) as a major and necessary character. I grew up in a small town in Tennessee with many unique characters; to write only of the white ones would limit my own experience and creativity. Yet, I fear to hear the words that will be blasted from a small universe of people who say I cannot write from the point of view of another race because I am a white, middle-class woman. You are right, Michael, that everyone is an individual, each with their own biases. What I hear when people say that something is appropriated or stolen from any culture is that we should not be even talking or writing of that culture...nonsense. It boils down to respectfully and accurately depicting what we see, and, yes, if it is not accurate, start a conversation. Maybe I am mixing apple and oranges here, but I yam what I yam...
'Bt merely your soul burning its imprint on the page', is an excellent line. We need this reminder that our inherent biases are ok. We accept them in ourselves and in others while reminding ourselves they exist, therefore there are not too many FACTS but factual opinions.
I needed to read your column to affirm what I, also, believe. The historical novel I am writing has an African American woman (I am white) as a major and necessary character. I grew up in a small town in Tennessee with many unique characters; to write only of the white ones would limit my own experience and creativity. Yet, I fear to hear the words that will be blasted from a small universe of people who say I cannot write from the point of view of another race because I am a white, middle-class woman. You are right, Michael, that everyone is an individual, each with their own biases. What I hear when people say that something is appropriated or stolen from any culture is that we should not be even talking or writing of that culture...nonsense. It boils down to respectfully and accurately depicting what we see, and, yes, if it is not accurate, start a conversation. Maybe I am mixing apple and oranges here, but I yam what I yam...
'Bt merely your soul burning its imprint on the page', is an excellent line. We need this reminder that our inherent biases are ok. We accept them in ourselves and in others while reminding ourselves they exist, therefore there are not too many FACTS but factual opinions.
Wise words, Michael