From: Amy Krahn <akrahn>
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 14:56:42 -0500

I'd like to thank Terry Northcutt for voicing some of the questions I have had while "listening" to this discussion. I find it somewhat ironic that on the one hand - writers are criticized if they write characters outside of their own ethnic group but - on the other hand - they are criticized if they leave the question of race unanswered. As Terry said, this is a no-win situation for writers.

Is it racist or inappropriate to assume that LaVaughn is African-American, based solely on the name? I don't know. Is it racist to assume a character named Moira is white? Or Irish?

Yes, race matters. But I think we make it matter too much. I think it would be highly entertaining and thought-provoking to read a book about a white suburbanite written by a black writer. Maybe I would be offended by some of the ways in which my "group" was portrayed, but maybe I would learn something about myself and about how another individual perceives me.

Ambiguity on the issue of race can be a good thing if it forces us to examine our thinking, our stereotypes, and our prejudices. I would like to see more blurring of lines and crossover writing - not less.

Amy Krahn
Received on Thu 12 Jul 2001 02:56:42 PM CDT