But as for the cover thing. I’m so thrilled to see how quickly Little, Brown has responded and to see the groups that have sprung up to keep a vigilant eye out for other cases of white washing. The work of people like Ari and Susan has been very inspiring.

I hope, as many of us do, that all of this will go even further. That these recent protests will lead to the publication of more books by and about people of colour. And more poc employed within publishing too.

However, I think, just for this moment, when you say something like this it IS constructive. I guess from some of the things you’ve said that being at the center of the shit storm over the Liar cover was no fun at all, but I think it gives you the leg to stand on that you need in order to be heard when allies are bringing out the icepicks.

For most of us, the struggle really is the thing, but we can all get derailed when we’re frustrated and any one of us can drift into being bullies and thought police.

HeatherL: I guess you have to start wondering about whether they’re an ally then.

But what I’m talking about are the people for whom “purity” (of whatever kind) is more imporant than the actual struggle. After awhile you start to realise that maybe that’s all they care about, bullying other people into their idea of proper behaviour.

Hmm, I guess that winds up at the same place, doesn’t it? Wondering whether they’re really allies.

I remember that poem too- makinglight has a really cute post parodying it somewhere in their archives, but I am too lazy to google for the link right now. Recommend it though.

Lauren: Sadly it is an issue everywhere. If you find yourself thinking why am I arguing about this? What does it have to do with improving things? Then you know there’s ally icepicking going on.

Educate, agitate, organize, J.

xxx
cvr