Dear Kern, I honestly want to reach out to you now and give you a big hug and let you know that I hear you. Every word. It makes me sad reading this, because it sounds so familiar. I've had so many similar discussions with non-white friends who were expressing similar frustrations/ hurt. As someone who has the skin of privilege, it is tougher for me to speak out about these issues, but I am glad you are writing about this complex issue with so much nuance and empathy. Nothing is ever black or white (I don't just refer to race here). I think it is incredibly important that we pause sometimes and reassess that attitudes that were born out of the best of intentions, might be hurting the very people that they were supposed to protect. I think you summarized this beautifully: "when we limit expression, we actually limit the diversity of stories being placed into the world. When we tell people what they can and can’t write, we assume we know which books are best for all groups of people." I dream of a world where we can see beyond race and nationality and just see each other as people. Here is something to encourage you: You and I don't share the same race, yet every week when I read you, I am nodding with agreement. We seem to share similar values! And a story to encourage you some more: your piece of cultural appropriation inspired me to write the essay "why I won't identify as one thing." As luck would have it, the algorithms suggested my essay to Tiffany Chu, and we soon discovered that we spoke the same language! I'm so grateful! And grateful to you and your beautiful writing. Please write what you are inspired to write, always! I'll be reading you, and recommending you to others.
Imola I am always so glad to read your comments. When you said that it's important that we pause because we might be hurting the very people we are meant to protect. WOW. That is literally the perfect summary for how I feel. Thank you so much, and you are right, I feel like we are kindred spirits. We might need to hop on a Zoom or something. Would be so great to conversate orally LOL.
This post hit hard in so many ways. First, the personal connection I felt with your words, and also empathizing with your experience as you create and express yourself. I feel that I hide in my turtle shell for this very reason. I keep to myself out of fear of other people’s criticism of not just our work, but our expression of self. I am sure we all have had this experience in our past the tarnishes our ability to truly shine. And, then for us, people of color, to feel like our color identity is constantly being challenged, as though that is our own way to identify and everything we do has to be representative of our, like you said, “blackness.” People ask me all the time, how do you like to identify, “black, African-American…?” To keep important at the forefront, call me “Ruby.” That is my name that is my identity. I get asked all of the time, “why do you live in the white neighborhoods?” I gave this a good thought, I was walking the other day in my “white neighborhood,” not admiring the “white people,” but admiring the trees, the walking path, nature. I laughed to myself, it is not that I like living in “white neighborhoods.” I like living where there are trees and walking paths, where it is clean. I wouldn’t call this a white neighborhood, because I grew up in an area that was very diverse. As an adult, I tend to gravitate to areas that allows me the greatest opportunity to have a relaxing outdoor experience. Like you Kern, I find it interesting that people never ask me why I always chose to live in an area where there are lots of trees? Instead the focus is on the race of the people.
I just have to say I am so appreciative of your transparency and your passion for life and as a writer. Thank you for giving space for people like myself to express ourselves and give consideration to our passion. You are truly a gift to us all!
You're very welcome, Ruby. Thank you for sharing how my story shows up in your life. There are layers to being black that are beautiful, and some we need to shed. The assumptions can be so heavy for us to carry and force us into "hiding" as you said. I hate that, but part of me understands it also. So much complication. Thank you again for your words.
Kern, thank you for writing this and for being so open. I think you have the right to protect your creativity from others.
According to your account here, you are writing novels for audiences with characters that aren’t of any specific race. And you are choosing covers based on aesthetics rather than politics (I recognize the argument that nothing is ever not political, but I disagree with it).
I like that you changed up your cover on the next novel. Maybe the next one will be a completely different aesthetic based on what you are drawn to as well.
Most of this is you as an author being boxed in by the historical context from the USA (I am less familiar with Canadian history). It is unfair and ethnocentric of Americans to assume Canadians conform to our culture, including our terrible racial inequities that may be informing the questions that were asked of you. But you have the right to not be forced to conform. Even if you are pressured to conform.
You seem like a fiercely independent, creative person. Keep on keeping on.
Kern, I always love what you have to say! I think as writers and creative people, we have an obligation to represent the truth of humanity and whatever that means to us. I'm white and my husband is Nicaraguan-American. I feel a consistent call to write interracial relationships; almost all of my short stories/longer works feature them. We're also both queer and most of my stories feature queer folks. But I don't think that I'd be letting my community, my friends, or humanity down in general if I felt compelled to write a story about two straight people in a non-interracial relationship - although I totally feel the same pre-emptive worry/judgment.
Dear Kern, I honestly want to reach out to you now and give you a big hug and let you know that I hear you. Every word. It makes me sad reading this, because it sounds so familiar. I've had so many similar discussions with non-white friends who were expressing similar frustrations/ hurt. As someone who has the skin of privilege, it is tougher for me to speak out about these issues, but I am glad you are writing about this complex issue with so much nuance and empathy. Nothing is ever black or white (I don't just refer to race here). I think it is incredibly important that we pause sometimes and reassess that attitudes that were born out of the best of intentions, might be hurting the very people that they were supposed to protect. I think you summarized this beautifully: "when we limit expression, we actually limit the diversity of stories being placed into the world. When we tell people what they can and can’t write, we assume we know which books are best for all groups of people." I dream of a world where we can see beyond race and nationality and just see each other as people. Here is something to encourage you: You and I don't share the same race, yet every week when I read you, I am nodding with agreement. We seem to share similar values! And a story to encourage you some more: your piece of cultural appropriation inspired me to write the essay "why I won't identify as one thing." As luck would have it, the algorithms suggested my essay to Tiffany Chu, and we soon discovered that we spoke the same language! I'm so grateful! And grateful to you and your beautiful writing. Please write what you are inspired to write, always! I'll be reading you, and recommending you to others.
Imola I am always so glad to read your comments. When you said that it's important that we pause because we might be hurting the very people we are meant to protect. WOW. That is literally the perfect summary for how I feel. Thank you so much, and you are right, I feel like we are kindred spirits. We might need to hop on a Zoom or something. Would be so great to conversate orally LOL.
For sure Kern! Would be a pleasure. Any time after the 20th as I’m boarding a flight to Colombia now…
This post hit hard in so many ways. First, the personal connection I felt with your words, and also empathizing with your experience as you create and express yourself. I feel that I hide in my turtle shell for this very reason. I keep to myself out of fear of other people’s criticism of not just our work, but our expression of self. I am sure we all have had this experience in our past the tarnishes our ability to truly shine. And, then for us, people of color, to feel like our color identity is constantly being challenged, as though that is our own way to identify and everything we do has to be representative of our, like you said, “blackness.” People ask me all the time, how do you like to identify, “black, African-American…?” To keep important at the forefront, call me “Ruby.” That is my name that is my identity. I get asked all of the time, “why do you live in the white neighborhoods?” I gave this a good thought, I was walking the other day in my “white neighborhood,” not admiring the “white people,” but admiring the trees, the walking path, nature. I laughed to myself, it is not that I like living in “white neighborhoods.” I like living where there are trees and walking paths, where it is clean. I wouldn’t call this a white neighborhood, because I grew up in an area that was very diverse. As an adult, I tend to gravitate to areas that allows me the greatest opportunity to have a relaxing outdoor experience. Like you Kern, I find it interesting that people never ask me why I always chose to live in an area where there are lots of trees? Instead the focus is on the race of the people.
I just have to say I am so appreciative of your transparency and your passion for life and as a writer. Thank you for giving space for people like myself to express ourselves and give consideration to our passion. You are truly a gift to us all!
You're very welcome, Ruby. Thank you for sharing how my story shows up in your life. There are layers to being black that are beautiful, and some we need to shed. The assumptions can be so heavy for us to carry and force us into "hiding" as you said. I hate that, but part of me understands it also. So much complication. Thank you again for your words.
Kern, thank you for writing this and for being so open. I think you have the right to protect your creativity from others.
According to your account here, you are writing novels for audiences with characters that aren’t of any specific race. And you are choosing covers based on aesthetics rather than politics (I recognize the argument that nothing is ever not political, but I disagree with it).
I like that you changed up your cover on the next novel. Maybe the next one will be a completely different aesthetic based on what you are drawn to as well.
Most of this is you as an author being boxed in by the historical context from the USA (I am less familiar with Canadian history). It is unfair and ethnocentric of Americans to assume Canadians conform to our culture, including our terrible racial inequities that may be informing the questions that were asked of you. But you have the right to not be forced to conform. Even if you are pressured to conform.
You seem like a fiercely independent, creative person. Keep on keeping on.
"You have the right." Thank you for saying this, Autumn! And you are right, my creative independence is paramount.
Kern, I always love what you have to say! I think as writers and creative people, we have an obligation to represent the truth of humanity and whatever that means to us. I'm white and my husband is Nicaraguan-American. I feel a consistent call to write interracial relationships; almost all of my short stories/longer works feature them. We're also both queer and most of my stories feature queer folks. But I don't think that I'd be letting my community, my friends, or humanity down in general if I felt compelled to write a story about two straight people in a non-interracial relationship - although I totally feel the same pre-emptive worry/judgment.
In a stroke of total serendipity, I stumbled across this clip of a James Baldwin interview yesterday: https://youtu.be/PjGzpVTrOEw?si=cHnZ3iXfQP9LMUbT
You're in good company, it seems :).
Ahh yes, all of this. That fear of judgement never leaves me.