CCBC-Net Archives
Difficult subjects, author's point of view
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Elsa Marston <elsa.marston_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:04:05 -0600
When researching for my ("young YA") book WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST: TRADITION AND CHANGE in the mid-'90s, I was surprised to find that subjects I had not considered at the start of the project--FGM, domestic abuse, "honor" crimes--could no longer be avoided. At that time they were not part of the "standard" range of topics concerning women in the Third World, and I had not even thought about them. But when I learned about women's organizations that were starting to combat these evils, of course I realized that this is an important part of the picture and must be included. I have never heard of any objection--and incidentally, on a later visit to Cairo (around 1998) I found that FGM was now dinner-party conversation. The laws of hush-hush can change rapidly! But I firmly believe that, especially for young readers, there should be emphasis on what people are trying to do to deal with social problems such as these--if at all possible!
I'm an admirer of Garcia-Williams but haven't read the NO LAUGHTER book. Does it deal with female mutilation in the U.S. (certain ethnic communities) or in other countries where the practice is still common?
Elsa www.elsamarston.com
Received on Mon 21 Nov 2011 11:04:05 AM CST
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:04:05 -0600
When researching for my ("young YA") book WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST: TRADITION AND CHANGE in the mid-'90s, I was surprised to find that subjects I had not considered at the start of the project--FGM, domestic abuse, "honor" crimes--could no longer be avoided. At that time they were not part of the "standard" range of topics concerning women in the Third World, and I had not even thought about them. But when I learned about women's organizations that were starting to combat these evils, of course I realized that this is an important part of the picture and must be included. I have never heard of any objection--and incidentally, on a later visit to Cairo (around 1998) I found that FGM was now dinner-party conversation. The laws of hush-hush can change rapidly! But I firmly believe that, especially for young readers, there should be emphasis on what people are trying to do to deal with social problems such as these--if at all possible!
I'm an admirer of Garcia-Williams but haven't read the NO LAUGHTER book. Does it deal with female mutilation in the U.S. (certain ethnic communities) or in other countries where the practice is still common?
Elsa www.elsamarston.com
Received on Mon 21 Nov 2011 11:04:05 AM CST
