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Re: Another point to consider in the multicultural lit conversation
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From: Debbie Reese <dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2014 16:05:47 -0500
Dhonielle,
I did a "Dear John Green" letter, too, a few weeks ago. It was when the trailer for the movie came out. I thought I best read the book, so I got it an e-copy and started reading. I was getting into it when I read the part about Columbus and the smallpox blankets. It was meant to be a sarcastic witty remark by Hazel, but it jerked me right out of the story.
I wrote a brief "Dear John Green" letter about that experience. People responded that it is satire, and there was some pretty strong "don't you get it" subtext, too. It is, I think, a good example of how satire doesn't work for all readers. I don't think John Green imagined a Native reader when he wrote the book. His characters are hip, cool "nerdfighters" who we could say are all about social justice. I understand that impulse or orientation, but it strikes me as kind of shallow. The comments were long and substantive. I don't want to rehash them here, but my read of The Fault in our Stars does fall in our conversations about diversity, inclusion, etc., and your point is spot-on. Now, I'm going to go look for your twitter conversation with him!
Here's the link to my post: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2014/01/dear-john-green-about-columbus-brought.html
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2014 16:05:47 -0500
Dhonielle,
I did a "Dear John Green" letter, too, a few weeks ago. It was when the trailer for the movie came out. I thought I best read the book, so I got it an e-copy and started reading. I was getting into it when I read the part about Columbus and the smallpox blankets. It was meant to be a sarcastic witty remark by Hazel, but it jerked me right out of the story.
I wrote a brief "Dear John Green" letter about that experience. People responded that it is satire, and there was some pretty strong "don't you get it" subtext, too. It is, I think, a good example of how satire doesn't work for all readers. I don't think John Green imagined a Native reader when he wrote the book. His characters are hip, cool "nerdfighters" who we could say are all about social justice. I understand that impulse or orientation, but it strikes me as kind of shallow. The comments were long and substantive. I don't want to rehash them here, but my read of The Fault in our Stars does fall in our conversations about diversity, inclusion, etc., and your point is spot-on. Now, I'm going to go look for your twitter conversation with him!
Here's the link to my post: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2014/01/dear-john-green-about-columbus-brought.html
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
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Received on Sun 16 Feb 2014 03:06:07 PM CST
