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Inclusion
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From: Sarah Hamburg <srhf92_at_hampshire.edu>
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:55:18 -0500
I've just joined the list, and I hope it's also okay if I join in the discussion. I was so grateful to see that this conversation was taking place-- thank you to the moderators for choosing this topic, and for providing a forum.
While conversations about inclusion and representation in the field of children's books have been going on for years, and years, (and years) I've felt somehow lately that there has been a growing chasm in that conversation. Partly, it is the growing divide Ebony points out, between the changing landscape around us, and what can feel like a lack of change within this somewhat insular community. (Though I do also, of course, want to acknowledge the significant changes that *have* been made, and the hard, and often groundbreaking work of those who are responsible for that progress.)
Along with this, though, there seems to be, in these conversations, a tendency to stick with a quantitative approach: to discuss these issues in terms of a lack of inclusion on publisher's lists, or at publishing houses, or on award committees. But when it comes to talking about inclusion in terms of books themselves, or in terms of the space that is or isn't available to those with differing perspectives when approaching/ reacting to those books, the conversation seems often to shut down a little.
For example, it feels like there is often more comfort in talking about the relative scarcity of books by Native authors, but not the same willingness to come look at a book like Locomotive, and consider not only who it might leave out quantitatively on its pages (or that it's another Caldecott winner by a white man) but that its very perspective might be one that serves to erase a whole other experience and readership. That the narrative it presents might be one of exclusion. I often sense, when the conversation moves in this direction, a deep discomfort and consequent closing of the ranks (speaking of other discussions out there in the children's book community, not here!)
To give another example: the author's response to criticisms of Alvin Ho doesn't seem at all unique-- in fact, it feels like it is often par for the course, at many levels. I guess I just wonder what this resistance is: why does this so often seem to be the reaction to specific criticisms, or questions about representation? Or, maybe more importantly, why does it so often feel like the conversation stops here?
I agree with others here who see this and the more quantitative discussion as entertwined. I don't think we can have the conversation about the numerical issues of inclusion and representation-- which is certainly an imperative one!-- without talking about this larger cultural question as well. If there is a lack of space within the field for voices to raise questions, or to speak against a dominant narrative-- or if the stories we are honoring are ones that erase other voices, and that affirm a single, dominant narrative, then what does it mean to say we are a community looking to invite a diversity of voices to the table?
--Sarah Hamburg
Date: Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:55:18 -0500
I've just joined the list, and I hope it's also okay if I join in the discussion. I was so grateful to see that this conversation was taking place-- thank you to the moderators for choosing this topic, and for providing a forum.
While conversations about inclusion and representation in the field of children's books have been going on for years, and years, (and years) I've felt somehow lately that there has been a growing chasm in that conversation. Partly, it is the growing divide Ebony points out, between the changing landscape around us, and what can feel like a lack of change within this somewhat insular community. (Though I do also, of course, want to acknowledge the significant changes that *have* been made, and the hard, and often groundbreaking work of those who are responsible for that progress.)
Along with this, though, there seems to be, in these conversations, a tendency to stick with a quantitative approach: to discuss these issues in terms of a lack of inclusion on publisher's lists, or at publishing houses, or on award committees. But when it comes to talking about inclusion in terms of books themselves, or in terms of the space that is or isn't available to those with differing perspectives when approaching/ reacting to those books, the conversation seems often to shut down a little.
For example, it feels like there is often more comfort in talking about the relative scarcity of books by Native authors, but not the same willingness to come look at a book like Locomotive, and consider not only who it might leave out quantitatively on its pages (or that it's another Caldecott winner by a white man) but that its very perspective might be one that serves to erase a whole other experience and readership. That the narrative it presents might be one of exclusion. I often sense, when the conversation moves in this direction, a deep discomfort and consequent closing of the ranks (speaking of other discussions out there in the children's book community, not here!)
To give another example: the author's response to criticisms of Alvin Ho doesn't seem at all unique-- in fact, it feels like it is often par for the course, at many levels. I guess I just wonder what this resistance is: why does this so often seem to be the reaction to specific criticisms, or questions about representation? Or, maybe more importantly, why does it so often feel like the conversation stops here?
I agree with others here who see this and the more quantitative discussion as entertwined. I don't think we can have the conversation about the numerical issues of inclusion and representation-- which is certainly an imperative one!-- without talking about this larger cultural question as well. If there is a lack of space within the field for voices to raise questions, or to speak against a dominant narrative-- or if the stories we are honoring are ones that erase other voices, and that affirm a single, dominant narrative, then what does it mean to say we are a community looking to invite a diversity of voices to the table?
--Sarah Hamburg
---
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Received on Sun 09 Feb 2014 08:56:06 PM CST
