Why can't we learn to learn other customs and life styles? That way books won't be misrepresented. A good writer won't just stick to their customs and what they know. In fact, every person in general should get out of their comfort zone of what they know and learn other cultures and customs, and then maybe the knowledge of different cultures and styles can be also spread throughout books to if people are willing to write about them.
Also, If it is up to us to decide what race is the main character, and the author leaves that up to us, do you honestly personally picture the person as Latino? Or do you picture them white.
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well, for one thing maybe the author is lazy, or they just want to write about what THEY know. I honestly dont think they can be blamed for that. and wouldn't they be blamed worse if they got something wrong about a culture, misinterpreted it? That could be insulting to that culture, and why take that risk?
ReplyDeleteAs for what we the reader picture, i do think that's a problem. Maybe because the author doesn't specify, we picture a white character, [or at least i do, im ashamed to say] because we feel if they were any other race, it would come up in the book? Because race is certainly an issue.
but i can't speak for others. I have a question, how do people of mixed heritage or asian picture those same unspecified characters? maybe they picture them looking similar to themselves, just like in a book when they say a guy is 'hot' we all have a different image in our heads. i for one, [i dont know why] never picture blond guys unless it specifically says so.
Why take the risk? We shouldn't stay in our comfort zones. We always we need to go out there. If everyone stayed content with the way things are now, where would we be? Its because we don't go out there that their is racism and white privilege in the world today. And for me (and I'm biracial) I try to picture a mixed person, but also ashamed to say, i just simply can't really picture it. I see the character as white too.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya Kloie. Tagging on to your response to Erika, I would add that I get the concept of a writer writing what they know, but the challenge is for the writer to know more. For a white male writer (like myself) to learn enough about an experience other than his own (be it African American, Latino, Asian, homosexual, or whatever) to be able to realistically portray a slice of that in his own writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd simply having a token, stereotyped character is not enough. And I have to confess that the primary example I've had has been the lone black member of a primarily white band. He's the bass player (you know, sense of rhythm and all that). Other than that, that particular character was never well defined.
Thanks for the challenge.
When I read a book I try to relate to the main character, therefore I would picture that character as white. But as for what other people think I have no clue what they picture.
ReplyDeleteKloie, how do YOU picture that person? Just wondering, you do not have to answer if you do not want.
ReplyDeleteYea, in case you people are wondering I (kloie) am FantasyBeliever21...i dont know why its a difference, but anyway i will admit i often see the character as white...and i wont say thats my fault either.
ReplyDelete