tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post4186517620914709506..comments2023-07-17T07:29:28.517-05:00Comments on wade-inpublishing.blogspot.com: Three Troubling ThoughtsEy Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04410026742901835948noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-17721914293174342182010-04-25T19:57:16.978-05:002010-04-25T19:57:16.978-05:00Good and encouraging point -- to remember that I d...Good and encouraging point -- to remember that I don't have to be stuck at the first impressions stage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-92161875009016508092010-04-25T07:09:40.408-05:002010-04-25T07:09:40.408-05:00One thing I have come to realize in life is this, ...One thing I have come to realize in life is this, once you know a person's name and they become your friend you forget what color they are. You refer to them by their name and until someone outside of the relationship mentions their race, the person is just your friend.<br /><br />I remember when my eldest daughter entered public school. Before then people had a name to her after the first week of school she just started using sentences like 'this White girl' or 'this White boy' and I had to stop her. I told her that child's mother give them a name and until she knew their name don't talk to me about them. Even now, if I want to point someone out to them in the stores, I chose to describe their outfit and/or their surroundings. I refuse to be stuck on a color because then we forget we are all people. <br /><br />All of my life the majority of my friends and acquaintances have been of another race. Maybe because I was an Army Brat, who knows. I see the same thing with my daughters. One is so deep into the Korean/Asian race she's speaking and watching the movies and music.<br /><br />I see the special section in the bookstore as a plus if you're in a hurry and as a slap in the face when it comes to inclusion. Its a bit like sitting at the little kid's table at family holidays. You're a part of the family, but not really.Ey Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04410026742901835948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-36227758326163173762010-04-24T14:21:34.872-05:002010-04-24T14:21:34.872-05:00It is a shame. Sometimes it feels like any attitud...It is a shame. Sometimes it feels like any attitude I could possibly have toward black people is racist, because I shouldn't be thinking in categories like that at all. So whether I feel intimidated or interested or uninterested, it "must" be wrong. But how not to think in race categories? How to make black friends without thinking about the fact that they're black? Don't think about pink elephants.<br /><br />Anyway, yes, it's also a shame that the white folks get the whole bookstore and the black folks get their one section. <br /><br />On the other hand, when you want to find something specifically written by a black author, having that section makes it easier.<br /><br />Categories have negatives and positives... and we can't have categories and not have categories at the same time.<br /><br />On the other other hand, I suppose the very idea of specifically wanting to find a black author could be disparaged.<br /><br />Thanks for listening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-79713099368351907162010-04-24T07:11:05.917-05:002010-04-24T07:11:05.917-05:00arlee bird. Yep, the section is there. Even if the...arlee bird. Yep, the section is there. Even if the stories are mainstream, history, whatever. If the book is written by an AA its there. I guess the bookstores thinks its just easier to lump everything together. <br /><br /><br /><br />prochaskas-I can understand the feelings you have, but its a shame when we still have to feel our actions have to be hidden because of who we are or what we're perceived to be. Whether we're of the opposite race in the Black section or seen as 'acting White' in the Black community. Thank you for reading our books.Ey Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04410026742901835948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-63310215797858765772010-04-23T22:56:48.759-05:002010-04-23T22:56:48.759-05:00I generally feel a bit timid about being seen choo...I generally feel a bit timid about being seen choosing "black" books -- as if black people would think I shouldn't be interested in them, because maybe they'd think I think they're a hobby or special interest or something. But I loved the one African American Lit class I took in college (despite the prof reinforcing my timidity)...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016515357657404195.post-25983529508283929272010-04-23T15:51:45.589-05:002010-04-23T15:51:45.589-05:00Is there an African-American section in the book s...Is there an African-American section in the book stores? I've never noticed. Not because of any prejudice, but firstly because I don't spend a great amount of time in bookstore and when I do go I am used there book-specific to get something I've read about and not to browse. If I browse, then it's usually through the Sale sections. <br /><br /> I probably wouldn't know what color an author was if they didn't say so or there wasn't a picture on the dust jacket. If it's a book about the "black experience" I probably wouldn't read it unless something else specifically attracted me to it. Not prejudice, just I would not be drawn to the "black experience" any more than I would the "Japanese-American Experience", or for that matter, if it were advertised as such, the "white experience". I am not usually looking for sociological books based on experiences, I'm looking for stories or non-fiction on a topic that intersts me.<br /><br />I think I can relate it to movies better. If it is a "black urban experience" movie about thug life, rappers, or something like that. If it is a Tyler Perry movie I'm a big fan and I'll watch them because it's more of a "good values experience" movie and that's what I would prefer to see because I can relate better to that.<br /><br />So I can't really say too much about prejudice and racism in the publishing arena since I don't know much, but I think people are drawn to what interests them the most or whatever has been hyped the most.<br /><br />By the way, I added the link for this site to the A to Z Blogroll since I've discovered that you are posting here as well.<br /><br />Lee<br /> <a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/2010/04/q-is-for-quotes-what-people-have-said.html" rel="nofollow"> A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post</a>Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.com