Most writers are desperately hungry for fulfillment about their work, so I was all heard when my best friend began reading an early copy of my novel in July and said: “Do you know which is the best of this book?”
The stellar writing? The smoking sex scenes? The endearing characters? All of which my tender and greedy ego was anxious for her to call. But it was nothing like that. She told me: “It is very refreshing to see a black girl, like a normal black girl, doing regular things like falling in love. It is crazy that is still standing out. And he feels so radical. But it does.“
It was not the praise I was looking, but however it hit me because that was One of my goals with all the men that I have loved again and all my work: show the types of characters, relationships and references of pop culture that I wanted to see in books and television, but that were unfortunately scarce when it was growing in the decades of 1980 and 90.
Even now, and after all my years as an editor and book novelist, I am very aware of how strange it is still It is, although the publication and entertainment industries have made important advances, especially since the “great racial calculation” of 2020 when it got into a clear and undeniable approach how many voices and stories were being overlooked and surreated.
Since then, more writers who have ever had access to avenues and opportunities for publication that would not have had only five years ago. Although we still have a way to go, these steps should be recognized as progress, if something like that, we continue to build on it. It is also important to remember that it is not a zero sum game! The fact that the landscape has opened for more interest and access to Bipoc writers, that has not limited opportunities for all wonderful and talented white writers who, I promise, are still being published and defended with great enthusiasm.
But as much as editors, agents, producers and development people can be committed to more diverse offers, we still have to tell that the public is willing and excited to adopt a variety of stories. There is a dangerous trap of thinking that “black stories” are only for the black public and “queer stories” are only for strange audiences, etc. Even the fact that we often return to these labels and categories, sometimes directly, sometimes subconscious, and the marketing that accompanies them, sometimes directly, sometimes subconscious, can be problematic. Create a mentality that certain books are for certain people. But we cannot always read books about people like us or who share our stories, background and views, not only because that is boring and reductive, but if the public only consume certain types of content, then only those guys will continue to publish or do .
However, I admit it: I, myself, I am as guilty as any of those who gravitate towards comfort and the ease of staying in my literary lane, so to speak, especially when it comes to fiction or memoirs (books to escape in place of explicitly “Learn from”) I will listen to a love story, or I will meet a collection of essays about living with a disability, or I will read a review of stories about growing in a native reserve and asking myself: “But is it This really for me? “Unfortunately, have I moved away from some books, thinking about that the answer is” no. “
But that reaction, the knee, as it is often, is incorrect and limiting. Why me, an American atheist, would be as swept as I read a novel about a multigenerational Muslim Palestinian family? Why shouldn’t I, a black person, be moved by a story of the experience of Asian immigrants, which happened when I devoured the beautiful country? When I, a CIS woman without children, asked myself how much I could relate or learn from a memory about the raising of a gay son, the answer turned out to be … a lot.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to read (and writing) stories that reflect their culture and experience, of course, but there is also much to say to branch, even if those stories are somewhat more difficult, more difficult to relate, more difficult to endure The stomach. , or even more difficult to discover in our close personal algorithms online and in life. It is worth the effort, especially these days of maximum polarization. The stories have always served as a bridge for the community, connection and empathy and we could all use some of that well.
Then, consider this your gentle reminder to think about what entertainment content is gravitating and also perhaps to accept a challenge, or you would really call it an invitation, to consider branches in 2025 to discover a book (or film or television show) that reflects A different perspective and background from their account and not just an honor of the months or pride of black or Asian history. And read this book with your reading club!
We can start, together, right here. This community has the best recommendations, so I would love to know: what is a book that you read that opened you to a new experience or perspective? Or the last book that you read that something essential was felt captured about their own culture and life experience that would urge others to see? Please share below …
Christine Pride is a writer, book editor and content consultant who lives in Harlem, New York. His new novel, all the men I have loved again, leaves July 8.
PS More Race Matters Columns, and nine readers share their favorite books.
(Photo of Christine Han.)
