Tuesday, February 2, 2010

More on Race in Children's Literature

As I have been reading more into the issue of publishers whitewashing their covers, the more I've discovered how insidious the problem really is. From one site to another I have come across blog after excellent blog ruminating on the subject. I have collected these various articles and offer their links here.













Original Cover / Revised Cover

Check out Justine Larbalestier's comments on the situation of the cover of her own book here:
http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/23/aint-that-a-shame/#more-5432

and her interview at Racebender.com
http://www.racebending.com/v3/interviews/justine-larbalestier-ya-author/

Apparently her book was not the first to feature someone of African origin (I do not say African-American since Larbalistier 's character is Australian). This is a common occurrence for characters of African origin.













Check out the conversation here:
http://jacketwhys.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/too-many-white-girls/










And whitewashing doesn't stop there. Check out this interesting and insightful blog that brings up the problem with Asian characters and their representation on covers.
















http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/asian-americans-on-ya-fiction-covers/






A few thoughts on native Americans and one particular cover:
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2010/01/conversation-about-book-covers-and-race.html



And thoughts of the problem from an Indian-American author.













http://www.mitaliblog.com/2010/01/brown-faces-dont-sell-books-poll-for.html

And finally, excellent ruminations on what to do about the problem of whitewashing, which asks the question: "Should I boycott the book or not?":
http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/2010/01/next-step-what-are-we-going-to-do-to.html

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