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.

[thebellman]

will wait with bated breath. or baited if i have been eating sashimi

[shaula82]

Mmm, sashimi.

[fire_fly]

deepad's piece is really interesting, but yeloson sums it all up the best.

[shaula82]

Thanks for the link! The Remyth Project is really interesting. In fact yeloson's whole journal is very interesting, I hope s/he doesn't mind an occasional lurker.