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If anything this is an incredible admission of how publishing limits Black stories to traumatic lesson plans that help White people feel "educated" rather than, oh I don't know, something Black people might want to read for fun. https://twitter.com/sljournal/status/1356641191375298560
You can have a million talented Black authors desperate to tell new stories, but it won't mean much if every editorial department is almost entirely comprised of White people who cannot fully comprehend the humanity of Black people beyond our brutalization.
And what do these trends say to Black children besides "You can't escape, even in fiction"?
What do these choices say besides "Even your books are not for you"?
I'm not a child anymore, but I know the offers for gigs I get. I have a portfolio full of werewolves and wings and Black people experiencing fantastical worlds.
But all these folks ask is if I want to illustrate another book where a Black boy gets killed by the cops.
But all these folks ask is if I want to illustrate another book where a Black boy gets killed by the cops.
I'm not saying White children don't need diverse books. They do. But if we don't recognize how much space and power we give the White gaze, even when we're supposedly writing and advocating for *ourselves*...are we ever gonna *get* anywhere?
I'm just speaking for Black people here, but the amount of time we spend pondering the question "But will White people connect with this?"...just so the story might have a chance with White editors...are we not just sacrificing our voices at the door? I don't know anymore, man.
I'm not a professor. I'm not telling stories to teach White people to see me as a human worthy of their respect. I already *am* a human worthy of their respect. Now either hop on the train so I can write about cryptids or get gone.
Anyway. Happy Day 2 of Black History Month.
I'm going to erase the zero on my "___ days without White Nonsense" board and replace it with another zero
I'm going to erase the zero on my "___ days without White Nonsense" board and replace it with another zero
