Mayra Lazara Dole's Blog - Posts Tagged "diversity"
Latino cultures are as Distinct, Diverse and Different as ants http://www.antstuff.net/html/species_... (Cubans being fire ants of which there are 280 different species).
Latinos don’t share the same “language,” heritage, values, history, stories, customs or culinary traditions. The reason you might think we do is because we’ve been lumped into the category of “Latino” or “Hispanic” which strips uniqueness from our cultures.
A few months ago an Anglo author/professor emailed me to let me know she was preparing tacos, homemade guacamole, chips and salsa for her book club. She said, "We're reading Down to the Bone and want the full Cuban experience!" I gently explained that what she mentioned was Mexican food and the only Latinos who grow up eating Mexican fare are Mexican. "Don't feel embarrassed," I said. "Most of my Latino and Chicano friends had never heard of Ropa Vieja, Moros y Christianos, Boliche or Ajiaco until they met moi."
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
The root of our mother tongue is Spanish. Latinos understand all Spanish-speaking folks, but sometimes we don't fully comprehend parts the other's dialect just as you may not completely understand someone speaking Shakespearean or British English.
Our different dialects form a crucial part of our identity.
Spanish spoken in Argentina and Uruguay is influenced by Italians who settled there in the early nineteenth century thus they sound massively different from other Spanish speaking cultures (my ex was Argentinean and we spent a great deal of time laughing after explaining what we meant by this or that).
Latinos don't use the same territorial colloquialisms or standard dialect in our nineteen countries (not including Puerto Rico). South American Spanish is different from Caribbean Spanish (we drop our S's). Latinos don’t understand Catalan Spanish spoken by Catalan folks in Cataluña. Some of us have Indian or African blood while white Latino ancestry (blonde hair and blue eyes included) can be linked not only to Spain, but to England, Scotland and so forth. (Oh, and our accents differ, too!)
Since our cultures and traditions are as diverse as the Europeans (Germans, Italians, Spaniards and French aren’t lumped in one “European” category) the literary world should consider making distinctions between us. A German would never say something as cliché as, “I’m European. All Europeans Eat wurst and drink beer!” http://www.tulane.edu/~rouxbee/kids04... (She/he is German first and then European.)
180--(at least it’s not a 360!)
I still can’t find many culturally authentic Latina/o YA and middle grade novels with true diversity from big publishers and there are barely any with LGBTQ characters (many kids come out in middle grade).
“Culturally Authentic” means:
* A Bilingual author born in Latin America and raised in a Hispanic US community intimately knows what she/he is writing about because she/he has lived, breathed and experienced it to the fullest.
* A US-born author with Hispanic parents or grandparents doesn't speak Spanish but grew up in a Latino community, feels "Latino," has Latino friends and understands the dialect.
* A U.S.-born author with Hispanic heritage who may not speak Spanish or Spanglish. She/he understands, respects and loves the culture, has lived in a Hispanic community, feels Latino and has Latino friends. (Included are Nuyoricans and Chicanos.)
Authentic does not mean:
* Caucasian authors (Marcy SingaLittleTune or Sam GetMeOuttaHere)using pen last names such as Garcia and Rodriguez.
* Authors with Spanish last names with no clue what it means to be Latina/o (the only words they know in Spanish are “No” and “Sí Señora”) and have never lived in a Latino community or heard family stories but give Spanish names to characters to fill diversity quotas.
This post isn’t about cultural pride. Some journal reviewers and publishers’ book lists refer to “Latino” or "Hispanic" categories. This will lead children to believe we are all the same and thus why I hope the publishing world considers announcing what kind of Latino culture is being depicted in contents, such as:
Cuban-American (Cubiche)
Puerto Rican (Nuyorican/Boriqua)
Chilean-American
Nicaraguan-American
Colombian-American
Dominican-American
Mexican-American/Chicano (two-thirds of Latinos in the US are Mexican and most children's books are Mexican thus why most think all our customs and traditions are Mexican.)
And so on…
The words “Latino” and “Hispanic” when talking about books don't allow children and young adults to understand or learn about the rich diversity in our massively different cultures (which can transfer into desire to learn geography and history).
It’s important for kids to connect with their heritage through literature but we have no authentic MG book and only one or two YA books that authentically show our varied and unique cultures. Latino kids and teens in the US need to feel pride in their heritage and every kid in our country deserves to be exposed to diversity in literature thus I strongly feel publishers shouldn't consider Latino books stricly for a "niche" audience and publish authenic Latino authors.
Ignoring critical distinctions lump us in one category and it will be easier for kids and teens to see us as one-dimensional and to judge us as ONE group.
When I came from Cuba the only Americanito blonde, blue-eyed boy in our Cuban barrio called our neighbors and me, SPICS! He’d speed his bike along the sidewalk, spit, and boom, “You SPICS!”
Note: The word SPIC probably originated from the way some Latinos say “speak.” My mom never learned English because there is no need for it in Miami (a Latin American “country”). She and our neighbors always said, “Me no espiky dee Engli.” Espiki = SPIC?
Well, yes. I’m a SPIC and proud!
360--TIDBITS:
If you’re still interested and aren’t snoozing http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/... here’s a mini Latino 101 course:
“Latin” doesn't mean "Latino." Latin has to do with romance languages such as Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French, etc. http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/re... .
"Spanish" is our mother tongue/language. The only people on earth who call themselves “Spanish” are born in Spain.
"Hispanic" was coined by the government to lump us together which in some ways is a powerful political tool to enhance our visibility. Normally, when folks say, "I'm Hispanic," they're usually whiter and better educated and don't like to be called "Latino."
“Latino” in the US was once related to the working-class and a word incorporated by Hollywood, the media, and publishers, to glamorize actors and authors. Once Latino’s climb the ladder of success they tend to call themselves "Hispanic." For accurate representation of these words, check out: http://www.elboricua.com/latino_hispa...
In the following interview I talk more about Latino cultures and Miami's LGBTQ Cuban subculture: http://www.chasingray.com/archives/20...
And for the record, I'm a Cuban-American LATINA!
Latinos don’t share the same “language,” heritage, values, history, stories, customs or culinary traditions. The reason you might think we do is because we’ve been lumped into the category of “Latino” or “Hispanic” which strips uniqueness from our cultures.
A few months ago an Anglo author/professor emailed me to let me know she was preparing tacos, homemade guacamole, chips and salsa for her book club. She said, "We're reading Down to the Bone and want the full Cuban experience!" I gently explained that what she mentioned was Mexican food and the only Latinos who grow up eating Mexican fare are Mexican. "Don't feel embarrassed," I said. "Most of my Latino and Chicano friends had never heard of Ropa Vieja, Moros y Christianos, Boliche or Ajiaco until they met moi."
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
The root of our mother tongue is Spanish. Latinos understand all Spanish-speaking folks, but sometimes we don't fully comprehend parts the other's dialect just as you may not completely understand someone speaking Shakespearean or British English.
Our different dialects form a crucial part of our identity.
Spanish spoken in Argentina and Uruguay is influenced by Italians who settled there in the early nineteenth century thus they sound massively different from other Spanish speaking cultures (my ex was Argentinean and we spent a great deal of time laughing after explaining what we meant by this or that).
Latinos don't use the same territorial colloquialisms or standard dialect in our nineteen countries (not including Puerto Rico). South American Spanish is different from Caribbean Spanish (we drop our S's). Latinos don’t understand Catalan Spanish spoken by Catalan folks in Cataluña. Some of us have Indian or African blood while white Latino ancestry (blonde hair and blue eyes included) can be linked not only to Spain, but to England, Scotland and so forth. (Oh, and our accents differ, too!)
Since our cultures and traditions are as diverse as the Europeans (Germans, Italians, Spaniards and French aren’t lumped in one “European” category) the literary world should consider making distinctions between us. A German would never say something as cliché as, “I’m European. All Europeans Eat wurst and drink beer!” http://www.tulane.edu/~rouxbee/kids04... (She/he is German first and then European.)
180--(at least it’s not a 360!)
I still can’t find many culturally authentic Latina/o YA and middle grade novels with true diversity from big publishers and there are barely any with LGBTQ characters (many kids come out in middle grade).
“Culturally Authentic” means:
* A Bilingual author born in Latin America and raised in a Hispanic US community intimately knows what she/he is writing about because she/he has lived, breathed and experienced it to the fullest.
* A US-born author with Hispanic parents or grandparents doesn't speak Spanish but grew up in a Latino community, feels "Latino," has Latino friends and understands the dialect.
* A U.S.-born author with Hispanic heritage who may not speak Spanish or Spanglish. She/he understands, respects and loves the culture, has lived in a Hispanic community, feels Latino and has Latino friends. (Included are Nuyoricans and Chicanos.)
Authentic does not mean:
* Caucasian authors (Marcy SingaLittleTune or Sam GetMeOuttaHere)using pen last names such as Garcia and Rodriguez.
* Authors with Spanish last names with no clue what it means to be Latina/o (the only words they know in Spanish are “No” and “Sí Señora”) and have never lived in a Latino community or heard family stories but give Spanish names to characters to fill diversity quotas.
This post isn’t about cultural pride. Some journal reviewers and publishers’ book lists refer to “Latino” or "Hispanic" categories. This will lead children to believe we are all the same and thus why I hope the publishing world considers announcing what kind of Latino culture is being depicted in contents, such as:
Cuban-American (Cubiche)
Puerto Rican (Nuyorican/Boriqua)
Chilean-American
Nicaraguan-American
Colombian-American
Dominican-American
Mexican-American/Chicano (two-thirds of Latinos in the US are Mexican and most children's books are Mexican thus why most think all our customs and traditions are Mexican.)
And so on…
The words “Latino” and “Hispanic” when talking about books don't allow children and young adults to understand or learn about the rich diversity in our massively different cultures (which can transfer into desire to learn geography and history).
It’s important for kids to connect with their heritage through literature but we have no authentic MG book and only one or two YA books that authentically show our varied and unique cultures. Latino kids and teens in the US need to feel pride in their heritage and every kid in our country deserves to be exposed to diversity in literature thus I strongly feel publishers shouldn't consider Latino books stricly for a "niche" audience and publish authenic Latino authors.
Ignoring critical distinctions lump us in one category and it will be easier for kids and teens to see us as one-dimensional and to judge us as ONE group.
When I came from Cuba the only Americanito blonde, blue-eyed boy in our Cuban barrio called our neighbors and me, SPICS! He’d speed his bike along the sidewalk, spit, and boom, “You SPICS!”
Note: The word SPIC probably originated from the way some Latinos say “speak.” My mom never learned English because there is no need for it in Miami (a Latin American “country”). She and our neighbors always said, “Me no espiky dee Engli.” Espiki = SPIC?
Well, yes. I’m a SPIC and proud!
360--TIDBITS:
If you’re still interested and aren’t snoozing http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/... here’s a mini Latino 101 course:
“Latin” doesn't mean "Latino." Latin has to do with romance languages such as Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French, etc. http://www.referencecenter.com/ref/re... .
"Spanish" is our mother tongue/language. The only people on earth who call themselves “Spanish” are born in Spain.
"Hispanic" was coined by the government to lump us together which in some ways is a powerful political tool to enhance our visibility. Normally, when folks say, "I'm Hispanic," they're usually whiter and better educated and don't like to be called "Latino."
“Latino” in the US was once related to the working-class and a word incorporated by Hollywood, the media, and publishers, to glamorize actors and authors. Once Latino’s climb the ladder of success they tend to call themselves "Hispanic." For accurate representation of these words, check out: http://www.elboricua.com/latino_hispa...
In the following interview I talk more about Latino cultures and Miami's LGBTQ Cuban subculture: http://www.chasingray.com/archives/20...
And for the record, I'm a Cuban-American LATINA!
Many of the thousands of Latino writers submitting to big publishers getting rejected are intellectuals or academics who write perfect English and Spanish thus I was shocked to read in Meminger's and other literary blogs about editors “throwing their doors wide to submissions by PoC” and saying “the work they're receiving seems to be sub-par, not polished, or in need of more work than they have time for in this highly competitive business.”
Most editors don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. Writers must first go through agents. I don’t know a single agent in these times who’d present the work of a “sub-par” Latino writer to an editor.
Could this be a nasty rumor?
Who are the editors stating these comments?--luckliy, my beloved editor for Down to the Bone isn't one of them. She belongs to the list of powerful white editors interested in true diversity.
If it's true, the remarks seem racist and hurtful to Latino writers.
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_87...
Marcela Landres, ex executive editor for Simon & Schuster says:
“If you are a Latino writer… all you can reasonably expect from your publisher is for them to simply print and distribute your book. Do not expect your publisher to invest more than the minimum of time and money in promoting your book…. Don’t assume your publisher or agent will actually tell you this. Most people are unwilling or unable to convey bad news; they’d rather point fingers when things go wrong. It’s just human nature.”
In order for Latino books to sell, not only do publishers/publicists need to promote Latino books in the same way they do white authors, they must have a Latino list of literary journals, newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc. Sending Latino books for review to the important white literary reviewers is important, but we need professional Latino reviewers too.
If editors put the same effort in advertising and marketing Latino books, I’m confident Latinos fierce at promoting our books can also become best-sellers.
2 Questions to editors who made remarks:
• Do you think most Hispanics and POC are illiterate or semi-illiterate?--I'm always surprised when people aren't aware that a large percentage of Latinos and POC are highly literate.
http://www.lasculturas.com/library/fa...
• If you are receiving manuscripts from Latinos that aren’t up to par, why don’t you recommend professional book doctors to them as you do with your Caucasian writers whose novels need work?
The publishing business boils down to 2 factors:
1. MONEY
2. What white editors know will sell.
In the past, many large publishers made a mint with white vampire, zombie and werewolf novels. Now, many editors are searching for Horror, Dystopian, Paranormal and Steampunk. Obviously, in this economy (unless Latinos wish to self-publish), it’s no longer about art, literary merit, or the love for the written word.
It’s all about TRENDS that rake in the mula (it’s understandable. If editors don’t publish books or authors that sell, they could be terminated).
Film director, Alejandro Agresti (Valentin and The Lake House—the latter’s stars are Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves) wrote me seven moving emails (he’s a brilliant, poetic writer and I will save them forever) expressing interest in turning Down to the Bone into a feature film. Agresti has handed my novel over to Selma Hayek, his business partner, and I’m hoping for the best.
In other words, if you give underdog Latinos an opportunity we might shine.
Unfortunately, none of my talented Latina/o writer friends submitting at the same time got published.
Now that I have my foot caught in the door, I have ventured out to write for larger audiences and in different styles (Down to the Bone was written for a “niche” audience: young LGBTQ, reluctant Latino readers without a single book that spoke to them).
It’s time for equality in the publishing business.
Editors, why not place a call for submissions for culturally authentic Latino writers and authors? It’s not enough for white authors to add Latino characters they know nothing about or for you to secretly advice white authors to invent Spanish nom de plumes. I’m confident we can find a solution for bringing in el dinero while at the same time staying true to ourselves. (In case you haven’t heard about us, there are thousands of Latino-Americanos writing contemporary books with literary merit): http://labloga.blogspot.com/
Por favor, give authentic Latinos a chance to shine in your ultra exclusive and neon white publishing world. Let agents know you’re searching for diversity and authenticity. Culturally authentic Latinos in literature means the following: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
PUBLISHERS: Por favor, hire Latino editors. We need equality and diversity in publishing.
READERS: Please buy Latino books (most of us write contemporary Latino-American stories set in the U.S.).
LATINO WRITERS: I understand the painful struggle. Many of us don’t have the money to pay editors, but do your best and give your work to at least ten avid readers for critiques. Revise 3,000 times if you must! Never give up! Talk about the issue of inequality in publishing on your blogs. Tweet about our challenges. Make change happen.
AGENTS: please open your doors to Latino authors.
The U.S. is comprised of different cultures. Shouldn’t kids, teens and adults read diversity in books?
Regardless of the sate of our economy, and even though mula comes first, there must be some publishers, editors and agents interested in diversity. If you are one of them, please RAISE your HAND!
Diversity rules!
http://thenakedhero.com/guest-marcela-la...
http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/...
Most editors don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. Writers must first go through agents. I don’t know a single agent in these times who’d present the work of a “sub-par” Latino writer to an editor.
Could this be a nasty rumor?
Who are the editors stating these comments?--luckliy, my beloved editor for Down to the Bone isn't one of them. She belongs to the list of powerful white editors interested in true diversity.
If it's true, the remarks seem racist and hurtful to Latino writers.
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_87...
Marcela Landres, ex executive editor for Simon & Schuster says:
“If you are a Latino writer… all you can reasonably expect from your publisher is for them to simply print and distribute your book. Do not expect your publisher to invest more than the minimum of time and money in promoting your book…. Don’t assume your publisher or agent will actually tell you this. Most people are unwilling or unable to convey bad news; they’d rather point fingers when things go wrong. It’s just human nature.”
In order for Latino books to sell, not only do publishers/publicists need to promote Latino books in the same way they do white authors, they must have a Latino list of literary journals, newspapers, blogs, magazines, etc. Sending Latino books for review to the important white literary reviewers is important, but we need professional Latino reviewers too.
If editors put the same effort in advertising and marketing Latino books, I’m confident Latinos fierce at promoting our books can also become best-sellers.
2 Questions to editors who made remarks:
• Do you think most Hispanics and POC are illiterate or semi-illiterate?--I'm always surprised when people aren't aware that a large percentage of Latinos and POC are highly literate.
http://www.lasculturas.com/library/fa...
• If you are receiving manuscripts from Latinos that aren’t up to par, why don’t you recommend professional book doctors to them as you do with your Caucasian writers whose novels need work?
The publishing business boils down to 2 factors:
1. MONEY
2. What white editors know will sell.
In the past, many large publishers made a mint with white vampire, zombie and werewolf novels. Now, many editors are searching for Horror, Dystopian, Paranormal and Steampunk. Obviously, in this economy (unless Latinos wish to self-publish), it’s no longer about art, literary merit, or the love for the written word.
It’s all about TRENDS that rake in the mula (it’s understandable. If editors don’t publish books or authors that sell, they could be terminated).
Film director, Alejandro Agresti (Valentin and The Lake House—the latter’s stars are Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves) wrote me seven moving emails (he’s a brilliant, poetic writer and I will save them forever) expressing interest in turning Down to the Bone into a feature film. Agresti has handed my novel over to Selma Hayek, his business partner, and I’m hoping for the best.
In other words, if you give underdog Latinos an opportunity we might shine.
Unfortunately, none of my talented Latina/o writer friends submitting at the same time got published.
Now that I have my foot caught in the door, I have ventured out to write for larger audiences and in different styles (Down to the Bone was written for a “niche” audience: young LGBTQ, reluctant Latino readers without a single book that spoke to them).
It’s time for equality in the publishing business.
Editors, why not place a call for submissions for culturally authentic Latino writers and authors? It’s not enough for white authors to add Latino characters they know nothing about or for you to secretly advice white authors to invent Spanish nom de plumes. I’m confident we can find a solution for bringing in el dinero while at the same time staying true to ourselves. (In case you haven’t heard about us, there are thousands of Latino-Americanos writing contemporary books with literary merit): http://labloga.blogspot.com/
Por favor, give authentic Latinos a chance to shine in your ultra exclusive and neon white publishing world. Let agents know you’re searching for diversity and authenticity. Culturally authentic Latinos in literature means the following: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
PUBLISHERS: Por favor, hire Latino editors. We need equality and diversity in publishing.
READERS: Please buy Latino books (most of us write contemporary Latino-American stories set in the U.S.).
LATINO WRITERS: I understand the painful struggle. Many of us don’t have the money to pay editors, but do your best and give your work to at least ten avid readers for critiques. Revise 3,000 times if you must! Never give up! Talk about the issue of inequality in publishing on your blogs. Tweet about our challenges. Make change happen.
AGENTS: please open your doors to Latino authors.
The U.S. is comprised of different cultures. Shouldn’t kids, teens and adults read diversity in books?
Regardless of the sate of our economy, and even though mula comes first, there must be some publishers, editors and agents interested in diversity. If you are one of them, please RAISE your HAND!
Diversity rules!
http://thenakedhero.com/guest-marcela-la...
http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/...
Some literati have started blogging again about who's allowed to write true diversity
If you're white and can dance like the following, please write an abundance of books with authentic diversity! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb35M4... (I tried to find intellectual Latino youtube videos, to no avail--believe it or not, we come in many yummy flavors and different classes, and we aren't all dancers and baseball players!)
If authors writing a culturally authentic novel incorporating Latina/o characters have no clue what the following means, "Ay, chico, para de comer lo que pica el pollo" or they need to study glossaries to understand common and contemporary Latino American words, I imagine they'd get Cuban and other Hispanic characters wrong, thus my concern and why I strongly believe authenticity is highly important in YA realistic fiction.
Must you be Latino/Hispanic to write Latina/o characters and true diversity?
Of course not!
White authors who’ve lived and breathed my culture will undoubtedly write novels filled with Cuban American characters that feel authentic. Unfortunately, some writers who don't know us well and think all Latinos are alike, and similar to the following youtube, have repetedly depicted us as such and have gotten most of us wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxZ9Vn...
We live in a free country and writing what moves you is highly important.
The deal is this: We need more publishers/editors (white or not) who deeply understand diversity and different cultures so when they spot stereotypes they know the writer hasn’t a clue… For those who haven’t read my essay in Vermont College Fine Arts journal of the arts: http://www.hungermtn.org/authentic-la...)
Unfortunately, most white authors and script-writers have gotten people of color wrong and they’ve used a myriad of hurtful stereotypes to describe us. No wonder most of the population think Latinos are mostly illiterate, drug addicts/alcoholics, criminals or maids. Most Hollywood films have depicted us as lower working-class attending to white folks’ needs.
One main issue is getting our culture right so the world understands who we are as opposed to what authors who don't know about us think we are.
If you're not African American, Latina/o, Native American, Hindu, Asian, etc., haven't been raised in above cultures, have never lived in their communities and have no close people-of-color friends, would you really feel confident in writing a culturally correct POC novel (think American Indian) and getting it right?
Tidbits:
* White guy gets Cuban slang and pronunciation wrong, but his Cubanito buddy at the end kills it (of course!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ovxM...
* If you can't distinguish between Latino accents, you won't understand the importance of getting us right in lit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLup_...
* If you understand this video, and the humor behind it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knvUE5... please write an all Cuban book asap!
* Must you be Gay to write realistic fiction about homos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9gbQK... , black to write about AfAmericans, etc?
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
If you're white and can dance like the following, please write an abundance of books with authentic diversity! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb35M4... (I tried to find intellectual Latino youtube videos, to no avail--believe it or not, we come in many yummy flavors and different classes, and we aren't all dancers and baseball players!)
If authors writing a culturally authentic novel incorporating Latina/o characters have no clue what the following means, "Ay, chico, para de comer lo que pica el pollo" or they need to study glossaries to understand common and contemporary Latino American words, I imagine they'd get Cuban and other Hispanic characters wrong, thus my concern and why I strongly believe authenticity is highly important in YA realistic fiction.
Must you be Latino/Hispanic to write Latina/o characters and true diversity?
Of course not!
White authors who’ve lived and breathed my culture will undoubtedly write novels filled with Cuban American characters that feel authentic. Unfortunately, some writers who don't know us well and think all Latinos are alike, and similar to the following youtube, have repetedly depicted us as such and have gotten most of us wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxZ9Vn...
We live in a free country and writing what moves you is highly important.
The deal is this: We need more publishers/editors (white or not) who deeply understand diversity and different cultures so when they spot stereotypes they know the writer hasn’t a clue… For those who haven’t read my essay in Vermont College Fine Arts journal of the arts: http://www.hungermtn.org/authentic-la...)
Unfortunately, most white authors and script-writers have gotten people of color wrong and they’ve used a myriad of hurtful stereotypes to describe us. No wonder most of the population think Latinos are mostly illiterate, drug addicts/alcoholics, criminals or maids. Most Hollywood films have depicted us as lower working-class attending to white folks’ needs.
One main issue is getting our culture right so the world understands who we are as opposed to what authors who don't know about us think we are.
If you're not African American, Latina/o, Native American, Hindu, Asian, etc., haven't been raised in above cultures, have never lived in their communities and have no close people-of-color friends, would you really feel confident in writing a culturally correct POC novel (think American Indian) and getting it right?
Tidbits:
* White guy gets Cuban slang and pronunciation wrong, but his Cubanito buddy at the end kills it (of course!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ovxM...
* If you can't distinguish between Latino accents, you won't understand the importance of getting us right in lit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLup_...
* If you understand this video, and the humor behind it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knvUE5... please write an all Cuban book asap!
* Must you be Gay to write realistic fiction about homos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9gbQK... , black to write about AfAmericans, etc?
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
