WriMo is forcing a lot of us to forego weekend lollygags, in favor of getting prepped for the fun know only as WriMo. S'okay, some of us lollygag all too well in the privacy of our own homes just as well!
Anyhoo, the writing forums are buzzed right now, and everyone is sharing their synops, tools and tricks, and their advice (I somehow am constantly tapped for the race and sex discussions; why can I not get pulled into a talk on striped socks or something...) A lot of writers are actually interested in writing about someone other than their own race/culture (no, it's true!) and they often ask for advice on basic things, like hair care for example, to more complicated stuff, like social behaviors and religions. One thread in particular offers a bunch of sources for writers to consider, and this is something x-posted from one of those discussions:
LOL Best thread ever. If only for introducing me to the 'Art of Defending Racism' and 'How to Suppress Discussions of Racism' posts. Almost every bit of what was contained in those two posts, I have seen first hand, *consistently*, during discussions on race in the media/arts.
This topic is more complicated than some people realize, and not limited to the world of writing, as we've discussed this very same issue on a very popular SciFi/Fantasy art forum. Surprisingly it did not turn into a flame war as it did on another art forum. (Possibly because there are more Pros who frequent the board that people respect, and not too many people wanted to start name-calling for fear of being remembered.) Hollywood/mainstream and that Ursula LeGuin thing was also mentioned in the discussion. This thread went on for awhile, longer than expected, and brought in a several different perspectives on why people see the world how they see it and why they create how they create. As expected, and as discussed in the 'Art of ...' and 'How To...' posts mentioned above, some people totally tried to dodge the issue by derailing the discussion. But several others were on boards with discussing it. While discussing why artists don't depict other types of people in the work except Caucasian and Asian women, one poster says outright that he is just plain lazy. LOL I thanked him for his honesty. Wow, imagine THAT.
Basically, a lot of people fall back on, or rely rather, on what they already know, (or what they think they know) because it's just mentally easier for them to do this. They don't have to deal with the mental discomfort of fear or anxiety of trying to view the world from the perspective of someone who is "Other". They've been avoiding it their whole lives, in their daily lives. Why would their art reflect anything differently? The genre art out there is pretty stereotypical and fetishized imagery of White and Asian women, it's pretty over run with it. Has been for awhile, yet few seem to be willing to discuss it very often, despite the fact that there are more than two kinds of people in the world. (If there are any art collectors or artists of these genres reading this thread, then you probably already know what I'm talking about. )
Anyway, I find there's a lot of similarity between people's p.o.v. there and on this issue. People do what they know, or think they know, and make things how they think it's "supposed" to be. Even while they are calling themselves creative. The reasons vary, some of it is simply non-interest or dislike, they just don't care. Some of it is ignorance, meaning they literally don't have a clue about it. And a lot of it is actually political/financial. (meaning, "this is not popular enough for me to make any money at it, if I go in directions that is too 'Other', I will not sell" ) Writing is not much different, it's all artistic creation. People initially go with what is mentally comfortable for them. Not many start off by trying to do something too unfamiliar or just plain foreign to them. Some have to warm their way up to it. Others stay in their comfort zones.
Now, with all that said, I also have to say this:
People need to loosen their grips and just breathe...
Sometimes people do stupid things, not because they are trying to hurt you, but because they literally don't know what they are doing wrong.
Sometimes people do things that make you mad, not because they're trying to stick it to you, but because they don't have the same understanding as you.
We are all human, on this stupid rock together, and we have to talk to each other. There are some people who have been mistreated in life, often severely, and are truly angry about it and not without good reason. Some still not being treated fairly as we speak, because the people around them have never changed. So imagine that this person is often on edge about certain issues. Would you blame them? Then don't judge them by telling them to "get over it".
At the same time, I encourage people who are sensitive to issues, to NOT take it out on every single person. It doesn't always have to be "us vs. them". There are a lot of people out there who DO have interest in other cultures, but are actually not comfortable enough to try something new for fear of having SOMEONE pop outta some hole on the internet and jump down their throats if they don't "get it right". Hey, newsflash! If you never allow people to try things, AND to make mistakes, then how in the world are they ever supposed to learn??? How are they ever supposed to try again, if their only experience with their attempt was a giant fail and public ridicule?? How is it ever going to really change then?? It's like everyone is waiting to label people a bigot or racist if they don't portray something to your satisfaction. Are you kidding me? Loosen your grip a little.
People need to educate each other on how to not blackball others who unintentionally offended them. Communicate with honesty, instead. Sometimes it would help if people would, as we have in this thread, assist pals on how to help the curious learn how to understand other people different from themselves in a casual and non-threatening way. If everything turns into a battle, and you don't allow room for mistakes and discussions about those mistakes, then how can people gain any understanding.
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