Based on last discussions of this, I wanted to talk about Episode’s past shelves of trying to promote “diverse” stories. I say this very loosely because the stories that they have put for these shelves like for Arab Heritage Month have only the authors that fit the theme and not particularly the story. I feel this is an issue since the shelves purpose is to read the stories, not concentrate on the authors. I have seen some people disagree with this and thinking that people not from the heritage are taking recognition and spotlight from them. Also with the saying that “we shouldn’t honor our allies.” What do you think?
I think we shouldn’t only feature the author for being apart of the culture or race but rather the story because that’s the purpose of it. It doesn’t make sense to only do the author yet their story is completely filled with the same tropes and people, without any variety to fit the diversity factor.
I agree completely with this. How does a story represent a particular race/ethnicity/culture if the main characters aren’t part of that ethnicity that the shelf is about? And I agree that no one is an expert in their own culture because every family has different beliefs, temperaments, and traditions.
And I’ll add to what I said–A person that isn’t from that specific culture/race/ethnicity isn’t always “benefiting” from speaking over other or a group of minorities voices.
I just think that the authors race or being apart of a culture is not important to the story at all. I’m really sorry but I don’t care ,as reader, that the author of the story ,that I’m reading, is a certain race or is a part of a culture. It really doesn’t interest me.
Episode is a story writing app and to me it’s about the stories not the author.
If you ask me, Episode should promote “diverse” stories not only for the author being apart of a (insert culture/ religion/race), but also the stories themselves. I mean, even if the story was written by someone who’s apart of (insert culture/race/religion), it doens’t mean necessary that his/her story is diversed. I believe you know very well that even the authors who are minorities can repeat the same things and not represent his/her race/religion/culture in their stories through the main character, for instance.
So, my point is - If they already do diverse shelves, it should be more about characters and stories big time, less about the authors
I just think it’s gross how a bunch of authors who have all white characters think they’re entitled to be shelved because of their group they belong to. It just becomes a contest instead of doing the right thing. I like shelves with a coherent theme that focuses on the stories instead. I like how they started having themes again instead of appreciation months for stories that don’t deserve to be on there.
I honestly feel like a story shouldn’t be on one of these shelves only if the author belongs to a certain minority/race/etc. How do I, as a reader, find out anything about a certain minority/race/etc. by reading a story that was put on a shelf dedicated to that certain minority/race/etc. even though that story is about a white, heterosexual, cisgender girl falling in love with a white, heterosexual, cisgender guy? Why was that story put on that shelf, you wonder? Because the author, that little pic under the title you, as a reader see, is part of a certain minority/race/etc. Sounds kinda dumb, doesn’t it?
The characters should matter, not the author. The author may be using their voice within the character(s) to tell their story, but can they relate to the struggles and triumphs of their characters?
