Monica Jackson has blogged about a PW article regarding Genesis Press’ allegedly shoddy business practices, including “failure to issue royalty statements, delayed and missing payments and inaccurate tax forms.” Seems a group of authors have banded together to protest Genesis’ history of unprofessional conduct and breach of contract.
Authors quoted in the article have a long history of problems with the publisher, and Genesis has responded that they’re aware that they are behind but are making efforts to correct the problems. They also place the blame on their previous distributor.
Monica adds her own story in her entry, and it’s sadly similar to the rest: her novella was published, but she received no royalty statement as contracted. Nor did she receive a 1099. Most of the authors quoted, and Monica herself, received no satisfaction for their repeated inquiries to Genesis.
Genesis further insistst that all past problems with authors have been resolved, but those same authors disagree that they were even contacted about their complaints.
Monica’s theory as to why the authors tolerated this treatment from a publisher is that it stems from a mentality among minority authors that treatment like that from a publisher is better than not publishing at all, or self-publishing. She also wonders if romance blogs and authors will pay attention to an issue that affects only minority authors.
While I am less than delighted as a romance blogger at being painted with the white brush of assumed disinterest, I have to say, that freaking sucks, and I’m horrified that Genesis got away with it for as long as they did.
The authors quoted have already written to the RWA and to the Writer’s Guild to alert them to their concerns regarding Genesis’ business practices, particularly now that older Genesis books are being re-released by Kensington. Beyond that effort, what more can they do?
‘I should stop posting in the romance community. The only reason I do is because I know the majority of the people here aren’t my readers. So I’m my normal activist self, writing whatever I feel.
I probably would be a lot more circumspect around my readers.’
Honestly? I don’t think you should stop posting. You can’t change a bad situation by going off by yourself.
But being more circumspect is a good idea. You can still write what you feel, but readers do take the attitude of the author into consideration when purchasing, and losing your audience won’t help your cause. You can get your point across a little more subtly and less confrontational in these venues and still get your words out.
I personally think you have some very valid points. I’ve seen this crap going on myself. It’s one of the reasons I went into the biz…I felt screwing the author wasn’t a prerequisite to being a publisher, and I wanted to prove it.
But at the risk of starting ire, when I first started reading your comments, I felt like apologizing for being white and wasn’t getting your gist. That’s why I asked you to clarify some things. THEN I got what you were really saying, and for me, it was part, “oh yeah, that’s a fact” and part major eye-opener.
The Internet is notorious for confusion, and not everyone is going to ask for clarification before getting defensive.
Just keep that in mind.
I appreciate your points, Stef. It’s automatic for whites to get defensive when a black person mentions race.
We are taught very early to be careful around white people about the topic. Most blacks are very leery to talk about discrimination, no matter how much they’ve suffered.
I’ve operated from the position that those whites who immediately get defensive when race is brought up, and don’t seek clarification, rather immediately deny there’s such a thing as racism and label me a bad black person for bringing up the topic and making them uncomfortable—that sort of person is never going to be my reader anyway.
They’ll get mad and might even seek to harm me because of their hate, but they are treating me is no different than they’d treat any black person who brought up race and made them feel uncomfortable about their racism.
I have no desire to coddle them as they are used to being coddled, or beg them to not hate me because of my race and treat me like any other human being. All I want to do is hold up that mirror so they can see their ugly faces.
I always try hard to be reasonable to reason, even if it’s questioning. But why should I pander to racism and racists?
These people are never going to consider me fully human, no matter what I do. The most I can be is a good Negro to them and I’m not a good Negro. It might be hard for another to accept this about people they know and do treat THEM like human beings, but it’s true.
I probably should step down, write my books and channel my creative energies into my fiction. I’ve said all I can say, all there is to say.
Thoughtful people have heard it and will think about it.
Racists rarely change. They just avoid mirrors.
This attitude is not unique to minority writers. A lot of people feel that way.
What can you do about it? EDUCATE THE AUTHORS about the scummy publishers. Genesis is listed on Preditors and Editors as “not recommended,” the worst rating they’ll give anyone.
If new authors don’t know where to look for scam warnings, the rest of us are not doing our jobs:
I seriously do not understand why these sites aren’t better-known in the romance community. Because they’re run by SFWA members? Who cares? They monitor everyone, not just SF publishers and agents.
These sites do a wonderful job and needed service. I e-mailed Victoria at Writers Beware a while back. She’s extremely helpful.
Also people may not be aware, but Genesis Press publishes white authors, who are also part of our group.
I always forget who’s white or not, so I can’t tell you which, but I know there are several.
Genesis publishes mostly AA, but they still publish books with characters of all races.
One of the authors in the JM Jeffries team (who writes kick-ass paranormal erotica and I tapped her for my anthology) is white and owns a bookstore.
I don’t feel it’s your bringing up race that put people on the defensive per se. That seems to be a bit of oversimplification.
People are leery to discuss race not necessarily because they’re racist, and they don’t always become defensive for that reason either.
Sometimes they get tired of being called racist every time their opinion or outlook differs from a person of different race. Perhaps you don’t, but it’s common in online forums. So assuming people are leery to discuss race because they’re racist is closed-minded.
The idea is to educate as you did me and spread the word, which makes it harder for publishers to get away with their misdeeds.
I have said before that you have a valid argument, and the facts are there. I have issues with the romance community myself.
As for ‘coddling’, being respectful isn’t coddling, it’s plain common sense respect.
Let’s turn it around and say hypothetically that the black romance community is responsible for my books not selling, and I’m getting poor placement because the black authors are getting priority. What do you think would happen if I posted that in a public forum?
Bingo. I’d be called racist.
Certainly I get *defensive* when a black person brings up race—I become afraid I’ve offended them without even trying, not meaning to tender offense at all, and they aren’t going to let me apologize because now I’ve shown myself to be a racist, and therefore everything I say from that point on is suspect. Any apology I make is going to sound as if I am trying to redeem my image to other whites and remove the stigma of the word ‘racist’, not actually because I feel remorse. I was never taught how to intentionally insult black people, how will I know if I’ve done it unintentionally unless someone is willing to actually tell me and speak with me constructively? I grew up in the South and while my parents are not (obviously) racist, how do I know what horrible things my friends might have taught me?
I’ve seen this happen to others, and frankly, I’m terrified to talk conversationally to a black person that isn’t a friend of a friend anymore. I offend white people often enough, I’m sure I must be making enemies left, right and center in the black community every time I open my mouth!
I signed up for your list, but I really don’t think you want me there, particularly as I’ve written this and now you’ll think I’m a racist bitch. I’m sorry.
When will people learn to deal with each other as people and not a bunch of fucking labels?
Maybe ignorant folks would call you racist.
But if it were true, some others would step up and call you right. Given our common experiences, it might be quicker to happen on a black forum.
And if it were true on a wide scale, you’d be a fool for not speaking out.
From what I’ve observed most of the time when folks are called a troll, they’re bing trollish one way or another. Most of the time when whites are called racist, they are really being racist, as much as they don’t want to admit it. This is my honest opinion.
They have no idea what the term really entails, just some idea that admitting it will make them evil like Hitler or in the KKK or something.
In my honest experience, and I’m not trying to be inflammatory, many white people are flat out racist. They all will deny it. It doesn’t make it any less true.
Some of my best friends are racists.
It’s true. Racism is a product of this society and as long as a person is aware, and sees me as a human being, I can work with them when they cringe when a black guy walks past. I’ll try to get them to see more black people as individuals and there will come a point when dang, they realize that they’re not racist anymore. Folks have to start somewhere.
That’s why I don’t understand why whites get so worried about being racist. Yeah, they’re racist, but not necessarily one-on-one and that’s where the bridge starts to build.
‘When will people learn to deal with each other as people and not a bunch of fucking labels?’
I’m raising my kid under the idea it’s what you do and be that matter, not your color, size, looks or cash value. That’s exactly how I was raised; actions dictate the person you are, not preordained situations and characteristics you can’t control.
To a six-year-old, none of that matters anyway, if you can derail the marketing TV throws at them.
Maybe we should take lessons in maturity from them.
‘That’s why I don’t understand why whites get so worried about being racist. Yeah, they’re racist, but not necessarily one-on-one and that’s where the bridge starts to build.’
And you’re purple polka-dotted.
Well, you must be, because all people named Monica are purple polka-dotted. They just don’t admit it, and may even keep it under wraps. But it’s okay, because we can work with that. You can’t help being purple polka-dotted, because you’re named Monica.
Believe it or not, some white people just aren’t racist. I really don’t give a tin shit what color anyone is or what their sexual preference is if they’re good people. Sorry about that. Being raised by a very openminded mother did that to me. Blame her.
What I object to is closemindedness, stupidity, and the use of the racist label to push a point through when it’s completely unjustified and deliberately inflammatory.
I don’t object to the statements because I’m racist. I object because they’re unjustified, rude, and a very broad generalization. Which I would take issue with no matter who posted them.
But I can see that anything posted, no matter how concise, will just be responded to with more accusations of racism, so I think I’ll move on. I wish you the best of luck with your group, and I’m still interested in helping out if I can.
Stef,
I agree a different word should be used because the r-word is a push button word to your people, like the n-word is to others.
Similarly it closes ears and hearing.
Ethnocentrist is a good word because it applies to folk of all races while the other taboo word only applies to the majority, and it means the same thing.
I never said all whites are ethnocentrist. Of course they aren’t. What I said is that a LOT more whites are ethnocentric than they will admit.
I invite you to live in blackface for a month and experience the truth of my words. The change in the percentage you estimate will be a complete life-changing shock.
But the point is that it doesn’t matter. Working to understand and see people as individuals is what matters, not how society has shaped us.
‘But the point is that it doesn’t matter. Working to understand and see people as individuals is what matters, not how society has shaped us.’
But darling, some of us already do that.
I need the luck. And I need to move on too. This is not where I belong, obviously.
It is making me dislike writing, and become really blocked.
The blindness and meanness is making me angry to the point of tears.
So I need to go. Maybe one day another black person will show up to be the sacrificial lamb. I’m tired of it and am stupid to do it.
Wow Kaite, you have said what I would have liked to say about giving offense, but would have done a poor job of.
I was disturbed by the modeled conversation that Monica imagined would shortly take place here. Maybe some places, and of course we have anonymous buttholes who post here just like anywhere else. But this is smart bitches – there seems to be such a variety of reader and writer who post here.
I am white, I have taken those tests meant to show your racism, and come up showing a preference for white people and been left going huh? I don’t think of myself that way. – but of course, of course some of that is inevitable. We have to realize, and of course it has been recognized again and again, that of course we are a product of our upbringing, our color, the way people treat us in regards to our skin color, our weight, the country we are from etc. How can we be anything less than the sum of our experiences? We can only try to be more. I do not wish to diminish the trials of being an African American in this country. I know they are real in a way I never understood before, being a southern transplant (that is, born on the west coast, settled in NC – I know it’s not deep south, but a huge change for me). I know also that I will never -really- know or understand what it is to be the minority.
All of that is just my background, not really that important to this thread, but I wanted to put it out there for some reason.
I bought a Monica Jackson – Too Hot to Handle – as part of my summer reading. I didn’t do it as ‘I’m going to find out what this black subgenre is all about’, it was ‘I’m trying to read authors who are part of the Smart Bitch community’. Integration may not be the key to your struggle here, I can see your point on that, but in this case, I believe it has helped on some level, even if it’s just little me, buying a book.
I’m wondering why it seems you have made such an effort to separate yourself from us. I can definitely see having a solid support base of AA romance authors around you. I can absolutely see the value of that solidarity. BUT – Does it have to be either/or? In this case, I, in all seriousness, think of you as part of this community. I know I’m just a teeny tiny fish. I’m not an author, or a pub, or a critic, just a reader. I have no pull or power, but I am part of the teeming masses, and I value your perspective, and your work.
– and this is a side point only, but I really enjoyed the book. I got alot of perspective on ‘the white woman’ that I hadn’t had before, and I felt just like I feel after reading anything that is a product of a culture I didn’t grow up in; educated, a little more understanding – all of that with the distinct advantage of it being a romance novel, my favorite genre.
– and now I see I’m posting this after Monica says goodbye to the thread. That’s what I get for being so slow.
I don’t get this at all. Why is it that white people are racist by default? Is it because they’re born white?
I’m not white, but I also don’t get too enthused when I hear the R word. From what I noticed here, it seems to me that black people’s problems are so much bigger than any other minority groups’. When Julie Leto mentioned the plight of Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (who is segregated based on her last name!), your response wasn’t to sympathize, but to say, “From what I’ve observed, Latina romance and chick lit writers are regarded as white and not segregated. You’re definitely not regarded as less than as and your books avoided because you’re Latina.”
If this is how you react to other minority groups’ issues, why do you expect others to blog about black writers’ problems and create more awareness, etc?
Your insinuation that people who don’t read black romance novels are also black-haters makes your stance less than sympathetic. I don’t generally seek out black romance novel, but I don’t avoid it either. I read whatever I feel like reading given the blurbs, online interactions, etc., and I don’t think I’m a racist because I choose to spend my money any way I want.
Lastly, you said, “all the publishers really care about is money.” Given this, you should ask why the publishers currently have the AA romance programs set up the way they are now. Perhaps this is the best way for them to maximize their profit.
Ah, the joys of the internet. Monica, you don’t know me, you’ve never seen me, and yet, when I start talking about the victimhood of the african-american community, you assume I’m white and declare me racist.
There are several classes availble on muliculturalism at the university level. I would suggest you take one. They’re quite useful for pointing out the trends in different mental triggers and cultural ‘themes’ that pervade different communities. It is not just my opinion that the AA community has an issue with being victims and being angry at the world, it is the opinion of those who professionally study this, and those people are mostly black. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had a mulitculturalism class from someone white, and the acedemic conferences on the subject are certainly darker than, say, ancient history.
Your stories may be free of this particular ‘taint’. I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever find out. But a majority of the AA romance books that I’ve picked up *do* have this problem, and turn me off fairly quickly. It is not color of the skin of the charecters…if it was, I’d have really serious issues. It’s an attitude problem.
Hrm. Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning but Monica, after reading through this entire thread of comments, the original article and all the other things involved, I am just plain irritated…at you.
Am I racist? No. I am of Native American descent and could, as they say it..play the race card, but I don’t..and my last involvement was with a black man. So before I say anything I wanted that to be clear.
I felt horrible at your plight when I first read about it, not because you were black..but because you were an author who was being screwed over by a publishing company. Simple as that. I thought it was great that SB took up the flag and posted about it to get more interest in it on your behalf, and what did you do?
Whined, bitched, sniveled, cried, pity-partied and sobbed that it was ALL about race and nothing more. What a load of shit..and Custer had it coming too, yes we know. Pull your head out of your boohiney and realize..this is bad business practices made by a company who is there for black authors. Clearly they can’t manage to maintain their business, so nail them on it and stand tall and proud..not just as a black woman…but as an AUTHOR who stood her ground and won her battle. Cripes.
If any white person took up this same fight and wrote the letters you wrote verbatim but for whites…do you KNOW what kind of response would have happened? Give me a break. It’s only blacks, NA’s and others who are given this ability and that in itself is reverse racism and you used this forum and the kindess shown to you and tossed it back in SB’s faces to go sulk.
Get over yourself, stand up and fight like a woman. I don’t give a rat’s ass if you are purple, fight like a WOMAN and win against this company and STFU about the other, stop clouding basic issues with race and fight the issues you need to.
I’m sorry, but if Mistress Stef, a white woman, did that, she’d probably get beat up by white AND black people.
Then what does it mean? No, what does that term mean to you, because you have a different definition. I was taught both by my parents and my educators (granted, who are all white, so perhaps this is a cultural difference in definition?) that racism is a feeling of superiority over other ethnicities or cultures, not just a level of discomfort with the other culture’s practice or a preference for living in one’s own.
I admit I got very emotional in my response, but that’s because as a white reader, I was beginning to feel a little more than unwanted by the black author community. I want to help you, I want to be a part of promoting the growth of understanding and mutual support as artists, but if we’re using different basic definitions for the same words—or even different contexts for those words—and we never bother to explain what we mean, how are we ever going to understand each other long enough to get past the surface statements?
Talk amongst yourselves and trash a lone black author for speaking out. Enjoy.
What other black author is going to show up for the abuse? Get your bats out just in case.
Okay, as someone who sparred with Monica on this very issue here not that long ago, I just wanted to make a comment on her behalf (at least I feel it’s on her behalf, even if she doesn’t interpret it that way), because I feel we’ve reached the ‘pile on’ stage here, and no matter the victim, I am way more uncomfortable with pile ons than with black people. 🙂
One thing I came out of my last discussion with monica on this issue with was the conclusion that she uses the word “racist” like some of us might use the word “stupid” or “bitch”—it’s not a gun toting word for her. It’s not a word that has all the baggage or the deeply offensive connotations that it does for some of us. As someone who uses the word quite sparingly, because I feel it’s a big accusation, I was really taken aback at first and it took me a long while to realize that Monica’s threshold judgment for what constituted racism was much much lower than mine. That’s why she can call herself a racist and not get all skeevy about it.
So while I personally think she’d benefit from using the “r” word more judiciously, I generally think it means more to some of us than to her. For me that means I’ve had to adjust me responses by defusing the word in my mind when I read her comments. Because I really do think that some of what she has to say about the persistent segregation of AA Romance is extremely important, especially for those of us readers who are constantly looking for more diversity in our Romance.
I’ve never in my life looked to see what race an author is (sometimes it’s obvious by their name, sometimes not). And I don’t buy books based on the race of an author (or the characters). Hell, I don’t even know if some of them are male or female (this can be even trickier in romance and sci-fi/fantasy as many authors take opposite gender or sexually ambiguous pen names). Same goes for music, painting, photography, etc. Who freaken cares? If it’s good I’ll read it, listen to it, put it on my wall.
I was pretty excited in Atlanta to receive a slew of books by AA writers I’d hadn’t read yet (I think half my book bag was AA romance). And after meeting the fabulous Wayne Jordan I sought out his books (Slow Motion is in my TBR pile and Embracing the Moonlight is on its way from Amazon). I got Brenda Jackson’s No More Playas at her publisher signing to add to the pile (I will admit to a moment of confusion about the title cause a “playa†is a dry lake bed where I come from and it took my brain a second to process the title).
The only proof of “discrimination†that has been offered up so far is that some stores in some parts of the country choose to shelve AA books of all genres together rather than with their actual subgenre (and lord knows we’ve hashed this issue to death on more then one occasion). To me this hardly equals the entire “romance community†being openly discriminatory about AA writers and AA romance. Perhaps we can/should add to this list the fact that there are AA romance lines? Should be consider Arabesque and Kimani racist, or are they a good kind of segregation that promotes a subgenre that would otherwise be nonexistent? I can make the argument either way . . .
I live in a predominantly black neighborhood in East Oakland (CA). I asked my neighbors last night about the shelving thing (a bunch of us had gathered on one porch for an after-work beer), and they overwhelmingly liked the idea of a section for what they called “their booksâ€. It’s a convenience thing, they want to be able to find AA books quickly and easily without having to comb through piles of books by and about white folks. When I pointed out that this means that the vast majority of readers will miss these books as they might not even be aware that there is a separate section for them they shrugged it off. It’s this attitude that some book sellers are catering to, and they’ll continue to do so as long as they’re convinced it makes them $$$.
‘It’s not a word that has all the baggage or the deeply offensive connotations that it does for some of us.’
I did at one point try to tell her to tone down her posts because she had a valid point that was getting lost because of a confrontational attitude. She chose to escalate instead.
So while I respect your process of elimination—and tried to do it myself—I don’t quite agree that her inflammatory terminology was inadvertant.
If you mean that you’d keep quiet about how you really feel I don’t think that’s a good thing. All I’m saying is that coming as I do from a highly integrated, highly educated, somewhat affluent, and very diverse community, the reality I experience around racial and cultural issues is quite different than your experience of reality. So while I shrug off those “all white people” connotations in your commentary, I DO think that things are not the same everywhere, and that perhaps some of the all-inclusive generalizations might not be accurate, let alone palatable, depending on where you live, with whom you associate, your profession, etc.
I think you should keep speaking out, for one reason because you’re sharp and articulate. But some of us might simply disagree with you because our own communities might not fit in your paradigm—and as much as you want us to know how it is for you, we want you to understand how it might be for some of us.
Monica, sometimes things happen not because you are black or white or polka dotted or purple. It’s because bad shit sometimes happen to people. I guess that makes me a racist.
As for the problems with royalties and publishing companies screwing over their authors. About 10-15 years ago, Robin Lee Hatcher, former RWA president and white woman, sued Leisure over their accounting policies. I don’t remember a huge outcry over Leisure’s policies. I don’t remember everyone racing to back Ms. Hatcher, white woman, on her lawsuit. I’m sure she was supported. And I totally support the authors at Genesis as well. But it’s a human problem, not a racial one.
I agree, Tonda, and in fact, having lived in both Northern and Southern California for many years (man, parts of Oakland have really revitalized themselves, haven’t they?), I find the separate shelving thing everywhere for every possible sub-group. It goes back to that same old debate, IMO, about whether there’s more power in being integrated or in having a dedicated separate territory.
I think we should do a poll to determine whether the people commenting come from the Western US or the Eastern US—because I really think that makes a huge difference in this conversation. My experience has been that in the Eastern US race is still very much a black/white issue, but in the West, it’s more Latino/White, Latino/Black, Native American/White/Black, Asian/White, Chinese/Vietnames, etc. etc. Where I live, in the way out West, multicultural literature is embraced, mainstreamed, and lauded.
Also, I think we need to look at different genres differently. For example, look at the tremendous success of authors like Alice Walker, Terry MacMillan, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou in lit fic and poetry. Or Frank Yerby. Or Octavia Butler in Sci-fi. In lit fic especially, the non-white perspective is actually elevated to some degree, I think. In fact, one discussion I’ve heard quite often is over the question of whether non-white authors feel they must represent an entire cultural perspective. And this, I guess, goes to your point about white authors writing other cultures and races v. non-white authors doing so. That’s a really interesting point and perhaps part of an Anglo-American colonialist mentality, perhaps? My question, then, would be whether people here think that point holds or not. I don’t know—I can think of some examples in both directions, but it’s IMO a very interesting place to start a discussion.
Or you can discuss why you can only sit around and discuss black people and their issues when none of them are present to comment.
How do you know? This is the internet, not somebody’s backyard party.
I could say nobody who dares to speak up and admit they are black and how they feel about about tings affect them.
I can see how that would be scary up in here.
And you’re assuming you will be able to anticipate this because all black people think alike?
Isn’t that the whole problem we’ve been bitching about? People assuming they know what black people think and what the stories they write will be like?
I’m tired of this whole discussion. ALL people are assholes, in their own special, beautiful ways. If others must pigeon-hole them to feel better about their world, fine. Put your thoughts and feelings into little tiny boxes and label them and store them up for next Christmas. Just understand you are missing the incredible beauty and variety of humanity by doing so. Not all white people think alike. Not all black people think alike, either.
And I’m not so disingenuous to say that they do.
Back in the day, when black people were in a lynching mob, they all thought alike. The thought was,
“RUN!”
Haha
Shaking my own head.
Anonymous post and no linkback. At least Monica had the intestinal fortitude to show who she really was, no matter how unpopular her views. That’s worth respect.
You, however, are not. Anonymous posts are chickenshit.
I’m with Mistress Stef on the Anonymous posts are chickenshit, and while I have no idea of the race of most of the people posting here I know for a FACT that Candy and I aren’t white, and I’m not about to assume that Monica is/was the only AA person who reads and posts on this site.
Oh, only the people saying bad things about black people get to post anon. I get it. Will go away too, now. Carry on.
I’ve tried to write a response to all this many times and much of what I meant to say has been said.
The original intent of this post was “what can we do to help?”
That never got an answer. I can’t quite see the catch-22 of “all whites are racist, but you’re welcome to join this black writers’ blog, but we have to stay separate to be strong.” And I’m posting anonymously, but the SB’s have my email from previous communication—I just prefer not to post it and invite spam or hatemail.
I do have a suggestion for something that might be helpful in alleviating some of the neglect of a/a romances, at least in e-books: Joyfully Reviewed has, for several weeks, been posting ‘help wanted’ for people to review a/a, multicultural, and f/f books.
I thought about volunteering… but y’know—I didn’t. Not because I wouldn’t like to read the books, but because I did not need somebody labeling me racist if I didn’t like an a/a book. Then again, to be fair, quite a few black men jumped all over Alice Walker for the mysogynistic SOB in “Color Purple,” even though he was probably drawn from life.
But there’s something constructive that anyone can do: sign up and review some a/a romances. If reviewers start saying “This is a Good Book!” odds are readers will be willing to pick it up.
It’s got to beat yelling at people who really do want to help.
The really sad thing about racism … it goes in both directions and hurts all of us.
What I don’t get is how one single person expressing her experiences that none of you have ever shared or can know gets so much group anger and judgment?
Who asked you to do anything? All it was
communication and one AA person trying to share their point of view about something that might interest you.
Bet you get a lot of AAs around here sharing their point of view.
‘Oh, only the people saying bad things about black people get to post anon. I get it. Will go away too, now. Carry on.’
No, chickenshit is chickenshit, regardless of race.
Bet you get a lot of AAs around here sharing their point of view.
Last I checked, the only people who said they were white was me and Kaite.
Several have said they were AA, several most posted they were members of other minorities.
So yeah, I guess they do. Thanks for the observation. That’s the most helpful thing you posted.
Posted by Anon
PS. It’s still chickenshit.
People are going on like I hate white people and think they are all the R-word because I spoke my truth and experience on this board.
It was a mistake. I apologize. I should never have shared my perceptions and experiences with you.
I will try not to ever do it again on your venues.
A final word from Tim Wise, a white male.
This is how I sincerely feel some of you regard me. This is how it feels to venture out here to hostile territory and and share my feelings on this sensitive topic.
How many of you have the courage to discuss your feelings on our boards and places? You won’t even respond on my blog, but copy and paste what I’ve written here, where you are safe among you own, no matter what abuse and meanness you hurl at me for speaking my truth and perceptions.
Okay, depp breaths. Sorry I’ve come to the party late, ladies, but when I’d visited this site on Tuesday, I didn’t see a mention of the PW article and thought (wrongly) that it wouldn’t be discussed here.
And I would like us to get back to discussing it here. I posted about it on my own blog. I would like for those who feel irritated, outraged, or just generally P.O.d that a publisher would do this to its writers, to also blog about it. I don’t know how long news takes to proliferate through the internet, but it’s out now. If you’re concerned, spread the word. Thanks.
All authors and readers and people aren’t like. I would urge everyone to dial it back on the blanket statements.
I would also urge those who think all AA romances are about the race of the characters/being put down by the man to actually walk over to the AA section of the store and flip through more of them. (The romances, not the urban fiction. Since they’re all grouped together, it may be difficult to tell which is which.) My interracials deal with race in a glancing way. My AA romances are not about race at all, but people struggling with various issues. I think you’ll find more AA romances are like other romances than not. But you won’t know if you don’t flip through them.
Thanks for reading this far.
‘People are going on like I hate white people and think they are all the R-word because I spoke my truth and experience on this board.’
Well, allow me to quote you:
‘I swear as stimulating as these discussions are, I’m beginning to get tired.’
‘So I did it advance. I hope you don’t mind. (Followed by a post where you place words in everyone’s mouth before they respond on their own.)’
Choice comments like:
“I am not a racist.â€
‘Answer: Sorry, but if you’re so defensive about intent on denying raicsm exists, you probably are. Fortunately, you’ll be able to live quite well with that fact. Us, since there are so damn many of you, not so much.’
Those are YOUR words. You essentially told us that by stating we’re not racist, we’re denying racism, and therefore are racist.
How else are we supposed to take it?
You made assumptions of how you would be treated and started in on us before we said a single negative thing to you. I don’t know what thread you’re reading, but it’s all right there.
‘You won’t even respond on my blog, but copy and paste what I’ve written here, where you are safe among you own, no matter what abuse and meanness you hurl at me for speaking my truth and perceptions.’
I didn’t respond on your blog because it’s rude to go to someone’s personal forum and blast them in their own arena just because they don’t agree with your beliefs or terminology.
But you wouldn’t know anything about that.