CCBC-Net Archives
Re: Reviewing authenticity
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Susanna Reich <reichgolio_at_verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:27:42 -0500
During the process of writing my recent book, Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Clarion, 2008), I became acutely aware of issues of cultural appropriation, stereotyping, and prejudice in regard to Native Americans. I decided to directly address this in the book, as well as in interviews on Mitali Perkin's blog and elsewhere. In the 19th century, Catlin's paintings, books, and lectures helped create some of the stereotypes that still exist today. At the same time, he left us with an invaluable visual and verbal record of traditional ways of life. He's a controversial and fascinating figure, and I was very happy that every one of the major trade reviewers zeroed in on the contradictions he embodies, which are so central to my text.
I hope that teachers and librarians will find the book useful as a springboard for discusssions about these issues. And I eagerly await the publication of Louise Erdrich's forthcoming novel for adults, Shadow Tag, in which the main character is writing a dissertation on Catlin. Susanna Reich www.susannareich.com
Received on Tue 10 Nov 2009 10:27:42 AM CST
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:27:42 -0500
During the process of writing my recent book, Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin (Clarion, 2008), I became acutely aware of issues of cultural appropriation, stereotyping, and prejudice in regard to Native Americans. I decided to directly address this in the book, as well as in interviews on Mitali Perkin's blog and elsewhere. In the 19th century, Catlin's paintings, books, and lectures helped create some of the stereotypes that still exist today. At the same time, he left us with an invaluable visual and verbal record of traditional ways of life. He's a controversial and fascinating figure, and I was very happy that every one of the major trade reviewers zeroed in on the contradictions he embodies, which are so central to my text.
I hope that teachers and librarians will find the book useful as a springboard for discusssions about these issues. And I eagerly await the publication of Louise Erdrich's forthcoming novel for adults, Shadow Tag, in which the main character is writing a dissertation on Catlin. Susanna Reich www.susannareich.com
Received on Tue 10 Nov 2009 10:27:42 AM CST
