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Re: Realism and Realistic Characters
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From: Debbie Reese <dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 06:29:58 -0500
I, too, love Meg's line: "It also means books without caricature."
In 2002, I heard Cynthia Leitich Smith at Kalamazoo where we were both slated to talk about books. In her remarks, she said that certain things in a book can "undermine the magic." That was the phrase I needed.
When I'm zipping along enjoying a book and then come to a phrase like "low man on the totem pole" in a book that otherwise has nothing to do with Native people, that phrase effectively undermines the magic for me. I ask other readers "did you notice ___ used 'low man on the totem pole'" and there is usually a "no, I missed it" response.
"Low man on the totem pole" is a misrepresentation of Native peoples for carve totem poles. Position on a totem pole is not related to hierarchy or status. It is a phrase commonly used in American society, and using it in a work of realistic fiction is a realistic depiction of how Americans talk... But. It isn't the only phrase an author might use to depict status.
A question for the writers on CCBC or members of SCBWI: have you been to a session where such phrases or caricatures (not specific to Native peoples) are discussed? Seems like a reference guide on this particular problem would be handy. I think the increased attention to the use of Native imagery in sports and marketing overall will help create awareness (assuming--of course--that people are choosing to read and think about the news stories regarding the Washington football team).
Debbie
Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com Twitter: debreese
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
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Received on Fri 18 Jul 2014 06:30:25 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 06:29:58 -0500
I, too, love Meg's line: "It also means books without caricature."
In 2002, I heard Cynthia Leitich Smith at Kalamazoo where we were both slated to talk about books. In her remarks, she said that certain things in a book can "undermine the magic." That was the phrase I needed.
When I'm zipping along enjoying a book and then come to a phrase like "low man on the totem pole" in a book that otherwise has nothing to do with Native people, that phrase effectively undermines the magic for me. I ask other readers "did you notice ___ used 'low man on the totem pole'" and there is usually a "no, I missed it" response.
"Low man on the totem pole" is a misrepresentation of Native peoples for carve totem poles. Position on a totem pole is not related to hierarchy or status. It is a phrase commonly used in American society, and using it in a work of realistic fiction is a realistic depiction of how Americans talk... But. It isn't the only phrase an author might use to depict status.
A question for the writers on CCBC or members of SCBWI: have you been to a session where such phrases or caricatures (not specific to Native peoples) are discussed? Seems like a reference guide on this particular problem would be handy. I think the increased attention to the use of Native imagery in sports and marketing overall will help create awareness (assuming--of course--that people are choosing to read and think about the news stories regarding the Washington football team).
Debbie
Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com Twitter: debreese
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
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Received on Fri 18 Jul 2014 06:30:25 AM CDT
