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From: edresang_at_mailer.fsu.edu <edresang>
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 08:58:08 -0500
Ginny Kruse raised the issue of Rudine Simms Bishop's study of literature for and about African Americans for children in relation to Lizze Bright.
To me it is an issue to think about in an otherwise incredibly rich and well-written book. Although this is not dark equals evil at all
(that Toni Morrison addresses in Playing in the Dark), The description of the people on the island (including the few we get to know) is a description of a minority population as 'all one way' from a majority point of view.
What I mean by this is that the white folks are of all 'stripes'
(that is good, bad, and in between and back and forth between these states). They are rich and varied characters.
The black folks as we're told about them seem 'all alike' to me -- all good and all are victims. This might fall into what Simms Bishop labeled in the days of integration/segregation stories as 'social consciousness' novels. As we have looked back at both slavery and at segregation, we realize that both courage and evil existed in both black and white communities. Neither were 'all good' or 'all bad.' Neither can be portrayed accurately as a group by race.
Obviously two groups (Newbery and Printz) of true and completely conscientious experts in children's and YA lit chose to honor this book, and in the end what it does well as a whole 'won out.' But I do not believe the author did the best job possible bringing doing what he set out to do -- as the black community simply are not
'multi?ceted people' and therefore are not as 'human' as the white community are. I know it is not 'their' story, but a more realistic glimpse into their community would have made it seem less of a
'social consciousness' portrayal. Especially since this community is given emphasis in the historical note -- and it is clear that it was a catalyst for the story.
Yes, it is a story set in another time, but we are allowed to 'see' other happenings that would not have been totally apparent then. Yes it is from Turner's point of view, but the author 'allows' him to see what he sees -- there is no historical record for this part.
I read Lizzie Bright early in the year, found it a compelling read, yet knew something bothered me about it. It was only near the end of the year that I realized what it was. I don't mean, again, to say this is not an outstanding book -- its richness will definitely stand the test of time. It is just that I'm taking the opportunity to express a small personal regret and hope that occasional readers will at least contemplate this issue, too.
Eliza
At 8:07 AM 00 2/21/05, Melody Allen wrote:
Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 08:58:08 -0500
Ginny Kruse raised the issue of Rudine Simms Bishop's study of literature for and about African Americans for children in relation to Lizze Bright.
To me it is an issue to think about in an otherwise incredibly rich and well-written book. Although this is not dark equals evil at all
(that Toni Morrison addresses in Playing in the Dark), The description of the people on the island (including the few we get to know) is a description of a minority population as 'all one way' from a majority point of view.
What I mean by this is that the white folks are of all 'stripes'
(that is good, bad, and in between and back and forth between these states). They are rich and varied characters.
The black folks as we're told about them seem 'all alike' to me -- all good and all are victims. This might fall into what Simms Bishop labeled in the days of integration/segregation stories as 'social consciousness' novels. As we have looked back at both slavery and at segregation, we realize that both courage and evil existed in both black and white communities. Neither were 'all good' or 'all bad.' Neither can be portrayed accurately as a group by race.
Obviously two groups (Newbery and Printz) of true and completely conscientious experts in children's and YA lit chose to honor this book, and in the end what it does well as a whole 'won out.' But I do not believe the author did the best job possible bringing doing what he set out to do -- as the black community simply are not
'multi?ceted people' and therefore are not as 'human' as the white community are. I know it is not 'their' story, but a more realistic glimpse into their community would have made it seem less of a
'social consciousness' portrayal. Especially since this community is given emphasis in the historical note -- and it is clear that it was a catalyst for the story.
Yes, it is a story set in another time, but we are allowed to 'see' other happenings that would not have been totally apparent then. Yes it is from Turner's point of view, but the author 'allows' him to see what he sees -- there is no historical record for this part.
I read Lizzie Bright early in the year, found it a compelling read, yet knew something bothered me about it. It was only near the end of the year that I realized what it was. I don't mean, again, to say this is not an outstanding book -- its richness will definitely stand the test of time. It is just that I'm taking the opportunity to express a small personal regret and hope that occasional readers will at least contemplate this issue, too.
Eliza
At 8:07 AM 00 2/21/05, Melody Allen wrote:
-- Eliza T. Dresang Eliza Atkins Gleason Professor College of Information Florida State University 32306!00 Phone: 850 644 5877 FAX: 850 644 9763Received on Mon 21 Feb 2005 07:58:08 AM CST
