Thoughts on Diversity in Books
- FangirlAhead
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Thoughts on Diversity in Books
- Gravy
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I think there isn't enough of a market for this type of book. When there's a demand for it, perhaps there will be more of a supply.
Sadly, there's also the negative impact to authors who include a valid amount of diversity. I read an author who is criticized for including more than one or two LBGTQ+ characters in her ongoing series. Thankfully, she doesn't let it discourage her, but how many authors will rewrite a character if they're asked/told to?
The big change that needs to happen is the belief that there needs to be a reason for a character to be of a minority, like there needs to be an excuse. There's never a need for an excuse when a character is straight and/or white.
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- gali
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Gravy wrote:I actually read a lot of LBGTQ+ books, and some with a protagonist of a race other than own, both fiction and memoirs, but it is underrepresented. I will actually seek them out, but I'm guessing that isn't usual
I think there isn't enough of a market for this type of book. When there's a demand for it, perhaps there will be more of a supply.
Sadly, there's also the negative impact to authors who include a valid amount of diversity. I read an author who is criticized for including more than one or two LBGTQ+ characters in her ongoing series. Thankfully, she doesn't let it discourage her, but how many authors will rewrite a character if they're asked/told to?
The big change that needs to happen is the belief that there needs to be a reason for a character to be of a minority, like there needs to be an excuse. There's never a need for an excuse when a character is straight and/or white.
-- January 3rd, 2017, 7:04 am --
I have read quite a few books where the main character was a person of color or some other minority. I don't think it is as rare as you said.
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- Erik
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I do wish that authors felt more encouraged to write minority characters.
- peprica21
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I agree this is well said! We live in a diverse world, so there should be more representation of the reality. I try to read a vast range of books, but I do feel many minorities and LBGTQ+ characters are underrepresented. This is why I was excited to read this one!Gravy wrote:I actually read a lot of LBGTQ+ books, and some with a protagonist of a race other than own, both fiction and memoirs, but it is underrepresented. I will actually seek them out, but I'm guessing that isn't usual
I think there isn't enough of a market for this type of book. When there's a demand for it, perhaps there will be more of a supply.
Sadly, there's also the negative impact to authors who include a valid amount of diversity. I read an author who is criticized for including more than one or two LBGTQ+ characters in her ongoing series. Thankfully, she doesn't let it discourage her, but how many authors will rewrite a character if they're asked/told to?
The big change that needs to happen is the belief that there needs to be a reason for a character to be of a minority, like there needs to be an excuse. There's never a need for an excuse when a character is straight and/or white.
- Erik
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Fewer people read now, and the economy is sluggish... so publishers have to choose books that will give them the highest sales for their investment. If a book has a lot of minority characters, it might risk turning off middle America or being classified only as an LGBT+ book, both of which would drastically limit sales.
So, are publishers partly to blame here? Should they be more willing to say 'damn the religious right, let's publish despite them!'?
Personally, I think they should... but I have a stubborn idealistic streak. Been trying to get rid of it for years.
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- letsinvadespace
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I'll admit that we definitely aren't where we want to be as representation goes, but I believe the positive fan reaction to diverse characters does give authors the encouragement to include minority characters.
- Gravy
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I believe there are lists online. I've found a few through suggestions from other members here. I've also found some by searching Amazon. Others, I've just stumbled upon.ashley_claire wrote:I agree that the option for diverse books is severely lacking. I actually think YA does a better job of having diverse characters than adult books do (that's totally based on me just sitting here and thinking about recent books I've read, not actual statistics). I would love to add more of these books to my list but am not sure how to go about seeking them out.
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- Gravy
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@"mratdegraff91"mratdegraff91 wrote:This is a topic I have noticed a lot in my readings lately. Even before beginning this novel I was curious about this. One of my coworkers has been encouraging her daughter to read and would like her to read more on the history of her people but has had a difficult time finding anything. I thought I would look into it myself but struggled as well. I do feel that the lack of diversity is based on what you all have mentioned above. I think things are slowly changing though and the world is opening up to the idea more. Where can I find the list that you mentioned Gravy?
If there's one thing people love to do, it's make lists
If I'm looking for anything specific, I just google it. You'd be surprised what you can find. I looked up a few lists. 50 Essential Works of LGBT Fiction was one of them.
I tend more toward LGBT issues, but I assume searching would still work. Albeit, it takes a bit of trial and error, given what some people consider representative of whatever you're looking for. Google tried to recommend Nickolas Sparks' At First Sight when I searched for LGBT books
What is grief, if not love persevering?
Grief is just love with no place to go.