Why Diversity and Representation in Literature is so Important
“It’s unfortunate really—how everyone can live on the same soil yet not even know the first thing about their neighbors.”
– Ciore Taylor, The Conversation Starts Here: A Perspective of Self, Culture, and the American Society
With approximately 7.8 billion people living on this planet we call home, the diversity we see every day is vast and dynamic. In our daily lives, we are met by people from a wide range of backgrounds. We understand that it is vital to celebrate all humans, no matter their gender, race, beliefs, sexual orientation or environment in the "real world" - but what about in books?
2020 has been a year of unbelievable events. With a worldwide pandemic shaping the way we live our day to day lives, there is no doubt everyone has been shocked by the overwhelming change. But in light of recent events of complete discrimination, that has shone an unflattering light on the way our so-called modern society deals with blatant racism, homophobia and sexism, it’s clear to see that some changes need to be made. We must work hard together to make the world a safe and equal environment for all.
So how can literature help?
And why is this well-loved art form crucial in playing a part in this worldwide problem? How can diversity and representation help younger generations treat each other as equals? Let's take a look at how and why literature can help.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY DIVERSITY?
Diversity is differences in racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and academic/professional backgrounds. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience. - Student conducted survey
Authors passionate about diversity will write about true to life characters from a wide range of backgrounds. From their struggles to their mundane everyday, diverse fiction will not showcase minority characters in a stereotypical fashion, it will get down to the real nitty-gritty of a character's livelihood.
INCLUSIVITY
While fixing my 4-year-old daughter’s bookshelf, I noticed something missing on the glossy covers of her picture books: girls of color. There were talking cars, imaginary creatures and stories about white men, women and children. I started counting and discovered that only 4 percent of our books featured minorities as main characters, and only one was a black girl like my daughter. I needed to do more than fix the bookshelf; I needed to remedy the contents. – Mirrors for My Daughters Bookshelf, Sara Ackerman for the New York Times
We live in a world ruled by the media. Seeing characters or people in a similar position or who look, act or think the same way as yourself, anchors your perception of how you fit in society. You feel relieved knowing that there are other people who are like you, somewhere out there. As an individual, you are comfortable knowing that you are not the only one who experiences life the way you do.
Roxane Gay, admired Black author and kick-ass feminist once said “Books are often more than just books”, and we couldn’t agree more. Literature provides positive reinforcements for both children and adults. Stories are huge parts of our lives, representing our hopes, dreams and inspiring our ambitions. Unfortunately with only 1% of children's novels featuring BAME protagonists (figure 2018 - thankfully this is on the rise), and barely any schools teaching from novels featuring LGBTQ+ characters, the stories we read are not representing all their readers.
Kate Sullivan, in her article “Why Diversity in Literature Matters” states - “This is a particular problem in children’s and YA literature because kids need to see themselves represented in order to develop healthy self-images and to feel comfortable with who they are... You may not see other folks like you out and about in town... and you’re not always seeing them in books, either, making you feel even more isolated.”
You are drawn to stories in which you can identify. It is particularly important for children to see themselves within stories so they know their own experiences are valued. When they are not, literature begins to shape a way of thinking that some scenarios are restricted for a certain “type” of person.
Diversity in literature is, in part, about representation - who is telling the stories and who stories are told about. – Roxane Gay
Of course, there are numerous ways to identify with a character. I for one, have nothing in common with Willy Wonka on a personal level but I can sure admire his love for chocolate. However, if something as important as a person’s ethnicity, gender or sexuality is underrepresented, it undervalues their worth and belittles their identity.
LEARNING
As young children and adults, we anchor our ideas of individuals and groups on what we see around us. We base our perception of people who are not the same as us from what we’re told. As an individual from a majority group, it can be hard to understand what challenges minority groups experience on the daily. Without sufficient, or positive coverage of a wide range of cultural backgrounds and beliefs, minority groups are seemingly ostracised from the “normal” way of living.
In 2014 the author of Lemony Snicket, Daniel Handler made an offensive “joke” towards Black author Jacqueline Woodson at the National Book Awards. Woodson responded later by saying, “By making light of that deep and troubled history, he showed that he believed we were at a point where we could laugh about it all. His historical context, unlike my own, came from a place of ignorance”. Without learning about other cultures and the embedded problems of racism that live deep within our society today, we cannot begin to understand the issues people from underrepresented backgrounds face. If we do not understand a problem, we cannot combat it. Literature must be diverse so that we learn not only for ourselves but for others as well.
In her article, Sara Ackerman describes books as both “Windows” and “Mirrors”. Often acting as “windows”, novels provide an escape into imaginary places. Be them better or worse than our everyday lives, they offer an alternate universe in which we readers can escape. Yet stories also “mirror” our everyday. They represent human experiences and reflect scenarios we are accustomed to.
Have you ever read a story with a character similar to yourself? Was the character an unsung hero or portrayed as a villain? Do you remember how that made you feel? If we indoctrinate the world of literature with the same type of stories and the same types of characters, readers begin to believe that those stories are simply the “norm” and will be reflected into the everyday.
WHAT TO DO?
Check your bookshelf!
Let’s support the great work being created by diverse authors. It’s time for change and as readers (and reviewers) we need to help! You can also contact publishers and let them know you would like them to publish more books by POC and LGBTQ+ authors.
Articles with recommendations for books by LGBTQ+ authors :
All the LGBTQ Books That Are Changing the Literary Landscape in 2020 by Michelle Heart
14 LGBTQ+ Books to Look For in 2020 by Keely Weiss
11 best LGBTQ+ books to read during Pride month and beyond by Joanna Whitehead
Articles with recommendations for books by Black and POC Authors:
49 new books by black and POC authors you’ll be reading in 2020 by Layla Haidrani
44 of the Best Books by Black Authors You Should Read in Your Lifetime by McKenzie Jean-Philippe
25 Amazing Books by African-American Writers You Need to Read by Natelege Whale