Smart Bitches, IR Books
Seressia May 5th, 2008
The Smart Bitches posted a blog today about “Race and Loving in Romance” which is generating civil discussion, though I admit to some puzzlement about the people who say they can’t find IR books but would read them if they did.
I’m going to tell you a secret: Sometimes you have to look to find them. And how do you know if they’ll be good? Well, how do you know that Regency historical will be good? Or a futuristic? Or a Indian romance? Take those answers and apply them to IR romances. Of course, if the answer changes, that should make you ask even more questions.
Very astute question Seressia.
This whole debate about racism in romance reminds me of a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. It’s really insulting that the so-called “PTB” of the online romance blogosphere (LLB,the folks at DA, SBTB, and GBU) and their circle of readers, lash out against any form of discrimination (most likely against erotic romance and gay romance), and claim to be “liberal,” yet either ignore, refute, and/or out and out admit they don’t care about the racism in the genre.
It is, unfortunately, very easy for black writers to get tired of the discussion.
- If we vent our frustrations, others get offended and belittle our right to be upset.
- If we talk about how no one’s reading our books, others proclaim how open minded they are and prove it by spouting titles written by non-black authors. But if we point out how this is insulting to us and our work, we are accused of trying to shove our books downtheir literary throats and that we call them racist if they don’t.
These discussions follow the same pattern. A blog with a largely white readership posts a discussion, the readership pats themselves on the back for being open minded. Then a black author comes on and the ire is stoked, the dander is raised and sensitivities are stepped on when mirrors are used. The race card is played (and both sides have done this) People fire back that they’ll never support black author’s cause because of their attitude (like they were going to anyway) while direct questions are met with crickets. Then other minorities pop up asking for their 15 minutes, the conversation gets derailed and finally peters out. Every blog post about this–on DA, twice on SBTB, and RtB have gone this way.
And people wonder why Monica isn’t blogging anymore? Why I will always budget for Slam Jam over the other conferences? Why they don’t see many black authors at RWA events? Why we’re freakin’ TIRED of the talk when no one walks the walk?
Too bad I missed this post. I’ve been unplugged since the eighth. I’m actually amazed that I made it through that discussion without cussing anybody out. I can’t wait until I can get to SlamJam. My pathetically fragile writer’s ego needs stroking in the WORST way!