Ch-Ch-Changes
October 24, 2007
There’s another race kerfluffle over at Dear Author. I came late in the discussion because I haven’t really been reading my blog roll, but I do find it better to enter the fray after the flames had died to a crackling ember. But BSA Pontif made a really good point over on Monica’s blog: “How about organizing a retreat or panel discussion of some kind on the issue of race in publishing? Just an idea, but I’m sure many authors would be willing to join in on a progressive, moderated discussion on the issue. Invite a range of panelists to participate: white authors, black authors, editors, booksellers, etc. We may be surprised at who would be willing to participate and contribute to being part of the solution. Action is needed, education is needed - talking and blogging on the issue is fine to spread awareness. Now it’s time to educate and place verbs into the resolution.“
I feel this would be healthy and proactive of the genre to engage in a panel discussion not just about race, but about sex, or feminism, or anything else that should be discussed about this genre we love to read and write. I don’t see readers or writers of the genre evolving with an overwhelming focus on “happy” or endless panels at RT or RWA on writing sex scenes or ogling male cover models. I feel the romance genre is unhealthily skewed towards sugary-sweet positivity to the point where anything that reeks of “negativity” causes the conversation to shut down because of bruised feelings, anger and finger-pointing. Many other genres encourage the discussion of certain issues that arise within them (for instance, this past spring, WisCon engaged in an albeit heated, but worthwhile discussion of race and gender, and it seems that there are a fair number of organizations off-shot from the science-fiction community that host conventions where these issues can be dealt with). All the romance genre has is RT and RWA. Two venerable and respected institutions granted, but two venerable and respected institutions that have not encouraged true introspection on the genre. Guys, we have a platform, the RWA Convention comes around once a year and since next year’s is in SF and the year after in Washington D.C.–two of America’s most culturally inclusive areas (I know this, having resided in both!)–Geez louise, we can do this.
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1.
Science » Blog Arch&hellip | October 24, 2007 at 3:28 pm
[...] Ch-Ch-Changes that there are a fair number of organizations off-shot from the science-fiction community that host [...]
2.
Monica | October 24, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Talking about the issue with the greater romance community? You are absolutely right that RT and RWA are not a SFF org. They’d make the crowd at dearauthors look look like a Civil Rights gathering. I think any brooching of race with those groups as a whole would feel like…you know what.
It needs to be a small, select group of intelligent people…but there is a problem. We can’t even come to consensus as a group on the issue, although many black romance authors resent being set aside–there are some advantages to the niche.
–they attack me for bringing it up rather than deal with the issue.
3.
Monica | October 24, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I meant to put this in another post
–they attack me for bringing it up rather than deal with the issue.
The issue itself makes them feel defensive. They don’t read black romance, they don’t want to. So they fasten on the word racist, real or implied, and personalize it to themselves as if they are personally attacked. Then they can become angry and not have to deal with their own negative feelings against blacks or our issues as a whole.
One thing is interesting–the angriest person sometimes seems to be an Asian woman. I’m not being facetious, I wonder why. In my first foray when LLB trashed my second book for not being black enough, an Asian woman about stroked out that I dare speak. Her name was TJ. Gwen over at dearauthor, who doesn’t seem intelligent enough to spar with me directly (neither does Sybil), along with that crowd, has devolved to name calling and stupid insults. (whore? now that’s funny).
4.
blackromancereader | October 24, 2007 at 8:39 pm
It just makes me angry because I always feel when we enter these sort of discussions, it twists around to seem as though it’s all black people’s fault that things are the way they are. Reminds me of this:
1. White person makes incredibly racist statements.
2. Some people express outrage over those statements; others seek to downplay the statements.
3. Those who want to downplay the statements are able to win the “hearts and minds” of the vast majority of whites, who want operate by the anything but racism philosophy.
4. The conversation the turns to how it really isn’t racist or wasn’t intention of the person. Since this allows people to think it is not that person’s fault, they then proceed to the last step.
5. Blaming the real victims of racism.
And then what makes me even angrier is that by posting that, I’m probably going to be painted as ZOMG a racist myself! It seems that people are much more willing to discuss racism and stereotypes and wanting to combat them outside of the romance genre. It really makes me want to keep my race topics to Racialicious, Stereohyped and Rachel’s Tavern.
5.
Laura Vivanco | October 25, 2007 at 12:46 am
One place that’s actively asking for discussions like this is the Popular Culture Association conference. Eric Selinger just posted on the Romance Scholar email list saying
“Hi, everyone! As the PCA co-chair in Romance, I’m pleased to report that the deadline for submitting abstracts and proposals for the Popular Culture Association’s annual conference next March has been extended from November 1 to November 30. That gives all of you plenty of time to think of topics, and since all you need to write is an abstract, how hard can it be? Authors, editors, publishers, librarians, high school teachers, graduate students–all are welcome to submit!”
Among the suggested topics, which are listed here is “African-American, Latina, and other Multicultural romance” and he also writes that
“We welcome submissions of coordinated panels: e.g., multiple papers on particular authors or topics.
If you are a romance author and are interested in speaking on your own work or on developments in the romance genre, please contact us!”
6.
Seressia | October 25, 2007 at 10:23 am
That sounds wonderful–if a full and varied panel could be fielded. It would be worth the extra trip to San Fran just to get a meaningful dialogue going (I’m going for RWA).
7.
Laura Vivanco | October 25, 2007 at 10:49 am
I’m sure Eric would be delighted to hear from you. Earlier this year he put out a call for a conference which will be happening from April 11-12, 2008 at the University of Illinois at Chicago, titled “New Movements in Black & Latina/o Sexualities.”
I’m not sure if the dates suited anyone and/or whether he got a big response, but if not, maybe that sort of discussion could happen at the PCA conference. Like I said, it’s worth emailing him if you’re interested.
8.
RfP | October 26, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I’m on a break from blogs that fight–guess I missed something major.
There’s an interesting article in Discover Magazine. I think the most useful bit (that highlights actions to take) is:
I think this supports the importance of integrating AA romance into the rest of romance in bookstores and review sites: positive exposure is key–and not occasionally, but routinely.
Here are two views on whether it helps to *want* to not be racist–apparently it helps indirectly:
I think we’ve seen Tropp’s view play out on several sites where when race comes up, commenters ask for suggestions.
I question the study’s method for categorizing prejudices for *individuals*, because of the test-order issue mentioned in the FAQ. (I did learn that I have trouble distinguishing skin tones. Strange.) But the researchers say they compensated for the test-order so they could analyze the results for all their test-takers *as a group*:
Maybe I’m just in denial that the test said I associate white people with weapons, LOL. I had test-fatigue after I took a few tests; I couldn’t even get the practice questions right, let alone the rest. So I doubt the results from the last test I took.
9.
KeVin K. | October 27, 2007 at 11:51 am
I’d come to such a conference. I’d even promise to not bang my shoe on the table. IF we could get a real dialog or even — dare I say it — some deliberate movement on this it would be a giant leap into the twenty-first century.
10.
Laura Vivanco | October 28, 2007 at 3:00 am
I’ve had another thought. Would there be a place for this sort of discussion at the Romance Slam Jam in Chicago? It looks like a lot of the authors interested in discussing this issue would already be there and although the programme’s partly fixed, perhaps it could take place during a gap in the schedule or just before/just after the Slam Jam?
Chicago does have at least one RWA chapter so it would be interesting to see how many of them turned up if there was such an event and they were asked to be part of it.
11.
blackromancereader | October 29, 2007 at 2:46 pm
The Romance Slam Jam is a good idea Laura. Not only is it a lot cheaper than RWA and RT, but it will be a group of readers and writers who can share their side en masse instead of black readers and writers being here and there at the RT & RWA conventions.
12.
seressia | October 29, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Laura posted this on my WP blog, so I figured I’d also answer her here, if that’s okay:
Laura, I think it would be appropriate to discuss at ANY romance conference–which sorta goes back to my point, though I’m sure many do see it as an AA problem and not a romance problem. Some don’t see it as a problem at all.
I’m not sure if the schedule is set for Slam Jam (they’ve been planning it since the last one in March) but it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a town hall slot if they still have slots open.