what ought to go without saying but doesn't

[naominovik]

I don't do well with heated online discussions myself, and so I want to say up front that I don't want this post to be taken as pressure on anyone else to participate. I am only ever for people engaging online how they choose and however works for them at any given moment.

That said, I do want to say in the context of what feels like an unending

Comments

[poeticalpanther]

Thank you for this. I've been so dismayed by seeing authors whose work I enjoy turn out to be capable of behaving publicly like complete rectal haberdashers. It's nice to see a few speaking up and pointing out the anal-millinery brigade doesn't include them. :)

[farasha]

Off-topic, but "rectal haberdasher" is the best way to say "asshat" I've ever heard.

[poeticalpanther]

*bows*

[eac]

I imagine you'll get many of these, but thank you for posting about this. It's an even more difficult subject to talk about online than in person, and I appreciate your speaking up.

[ravenclaw_eric]

Could you be more clear here? I've known fans "of color" (my Chinese-American best-beloved is one) and AFAIK they feel perfectly welcome...and this is deepest, whitest Iowa we're talking about. And in my own writings I like including East Asian characters, because that's my academic background. (B.A., East Asian Studies, St. Olaf College, Class of '83)

One reason that many writers might not like writing about "people of color" is because they're afraid of inadvertently giving offense. Or getting things wrong and being called on it. I'd be hesitant about writing an African-American character just because there are a lot of little things about being African-American that I, a white boy from the Midwest, don't know. And asking can be a bit fraught...how to do it without giving offense?

[naominovik]

I think given the context, "many fans of color" is perfectly clear, accurate, and not in the least exclusive of anyone who does feel welcome (and I'm happy for those that do).

The rest of your comment, I hardly even know how to answer. You say that you already do write East Asian characters; and how did you become comfortable? By doing research. Like anyone ever writes about anything they don't know about. So if you actually wanted to write African-American characters, you'd do some research and get comfortable. If you don't actually want to, stop using the excuse that you're so afraid of giving offense. I think it's offensive itself.

[rosefox]

Today you are my hero. <3 <3 <3

[verito295]

Just because it needs to be said.
You are my hero right now!

[barberio]

Thank you.

[barberio]

Also, a friend of mine who is a linguist, offered some insight into why this all circled around failure to express a valid apology. http://barberio.livejournal.com/348074.html

[lamardeuse]

Thank you for adding your voice to this.