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A "no cost" way to support diversity at ALA, IRA and other conferences
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From: Christine Taylor-Butler <kansascitymom_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:30:17 -0600
This would go a long way to acknowledge the authors of color who are present at IRA, BEA and ALA but go unnoticed.
!. Ask "Where's the Beef?"
Stop by booths of major children's publishers and ask to see the books they have brought with them that are diverse and where race IS NOT the source of the conflict. (this is easy - I did it two years ago and there were none - especially in YA categories. Two even confessed they don't publish "those" type of books (direct quote). At the Random House booth not a single person pointed out the displayed copies of Alvin Ho by Lenore Look which exactly fit my criteria for younger children (a book I frequently give as a gift).
2, Ask "Where's the Talent?" If you attend publisher receptions replete with drinks or hors d'oeuvre, ask where the NEW and LESSER KNOWN talent is. And if you get a blank stare, explain that 50% of all future library and school customers are going to be children of color so why isn't that reflected at the reception. Publishers after a while will start to get the hint. So will bookstores.
3. Stop and Make Eye Contact with an Author or Illustrator of Color who is not well known:
When you see someone of color who is not a big name, make time to stop and say hello. I've met former award winners who had to buy their own booths and were relegated to the cheap seats (the aisles on the outer fringes where there is little traffic). I've also seen authors of color sitting in the main aisle with no takers for their book signings while hour long lines wind past for a big name star. This is a tough game to be in which can be softened by a bit of human connection. Ask what they wrote and why. You might be surprised by their passion. You don't have to buy a book, just suggest you'll keep it in mind for future purchase -- and only if it intrigues you.
Most, if not all of POC authors and illustrators had to pay to be there for the signing (transportation, hotel, banquets and entrance fees). They get no reimbursement from their publishers and no marketing attention even if some of the majority race colleagues received it. This includes those speaking on panels. In the latter case, they had to submit a proposal and print their own promotional materials. This despite the fact that royalty rates from publishers will likely result in little return on their investment (net loss).
3. Don't immediately dismiss booths by those who are not published commercially. For many, even those with MFA's and/or professional Art training, the barriers to entry are still high and a there are some gems hidden in those piles.
This is a safe way to "see color" and acknowledge it. No cost except in human kindness and a long way to improve an often demoralizing experience for those who came to try to catch our attention. If everyone vowed to do that to just two people at a conference, we might see some ripples occur downstream.
Here's to changing the paradigm one "Hi, tell me what you've written" at a time…..Christine
Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:30:17 -0600
This would go a long way to acknowledge the authors of color who are present at IRA, BEA and ALA but go unnoticed.
!. Ask "Where's the Beef?"
Stop by booths of major children's publishers and ask to see the books they have brought with them that are diverse and where race IS NOT the source of the conflict. (this is easy - I did it two years ago and there were none - especially in YA categories. Two even confessed they don't publish "those" type of books (direct quote). At the Random House booth not a single person pointed out the displayed copies of Alvin Ho by Lenore Look which exactly fit my criteria for younger children (a book I frequently give as a gift).
2, Ask "Where's the Talent?" If you attend publisher receptions replete with drinks or hors d'oeuvre, ask where the NEW and LESSER KNOWN talent is. And if you get a blank stare, explain that 50% of all future library and school customers are going to be children of color so why isn't that reflected at the reception. Publishers after a while will start to get the hint. So will bookstores.
3. Stop and Make Eye Contact with an Author or Illustrator of Color who is not well known:
When you see someone of color who is not a big name, make time to stop and say hello. I've met former award winners who had to buy their own booths and were relegated to the cheap seats (the aisles on the outer fringes where there is little traffic). I've also seen authors of color sitting in the main aisle with no takers for their book signings while hour long lines wind past for a big name star. This is a tough game to be in which can be softened by a bit of human connection. Ask what they wrote and why. You might be surprised by their passion. You don't have to buy a book, just suggest you'll keep it in mind for future purchase -- and only if it intrigues you.
Most, if not all of POC authors and illustrators had to pay to be there for the signing (transportation, hotel, banquets and entrance fees). They get no reimbursement from their publishers and no marketing attention even if some of the majority race colleagues received it. This includes those speaking on panels. In the latter case, they had to submit a proposal and print their own promotional materials. This despite the fact that royalty rates from publishers will likely result in little return on their investment (net loss).
3. Don't immediately dismiss booths by those who are not published commercially. For many, even those with MFA's and/or professional Art training, the barriers to entry are still high and a there are some gems hidden in those piles.
This is a safe way to "see color" and acknowledge it. No cost except in human kindness and a long way to improve an often demoralizing experience for those who came to try to catch our attention. If everyone vowed to do that to just two people at a conference, we might see some ripples occur downstream.
Here's to changing the paradigm one "Hi, tell me what you've written" at a time…..Christine
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Received on Wed 05 Feb 2014 01:30:56 PM CST
