Speculative fiction and race/racism

[shaula82]

Through Seeking Avalon, I found a link to a really insightful and thought-provoking piece on the experience of an Indian speculative fiction reader:

I Didn't Dream of Dragons

This was written partially as a response to this:

Open Letter: To Elizabeth BearWhich in turn, was written as a response to this original post, written by the spec fic

Comments

[princessebee]

I Didn't Dream of Dragons is an amazing read, but also a very emotional one. Thanks heaps for sharing.

[princessebee]

http://matociquala.livejournal.com/1544111.html

why is this bothering me?

There are... small bits I agree with, but some of them are rubbing me up the wrong way. I think I started getting prickly when she said she's "not anything" (whilst making it clear she's European and therefore probably privileged and possibly Caucasian).

Am I overreacting?

[princessebee]

oh and all the ... we're all human and all the same underneath... I mean, yes, Othering is extremely uncool and yes, we're all human... but... but I'm sure you'll know what I mean and why I'm uncomfortable with that. Won't you?

[princessebee]

ahhh I see she's getting smack down in the comments. phew. yes, what they said. heh.

[princessebee]

http://matociquala.livejournal.com/1544111.html?thread=30775215#t30775215

it would be wrong of me to write "yeah, I see too - the fact you're a fecking idiot", wouldn't it?

;)

[shaula82]

Yeah, alarm bells were going off in my head at that stage - "I don't have a culture or an ethnicity, other people's cultures are so cool"-type alarm bells. Essentially positioning herself as invisible, while increasing the visibility (or Otherness) of other people's cultures.

The thing is, she knows her ethnic background - she could investigate that if she felt that she wanted to connect with the cultures she's ethnically from, if not a part of at present. Also, what about the cultures she is involved in - American culture, non-hetero culture, the culture of her local town, white culture, etc.? Being white <> not having a culture, or being able to shed your culture as you choose, and pick a "more interesting" one at will. Cultural tourism/appropriation FTL