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"this author was almost painfully white"? I thought the Secret Life of Bees was more about battered women and children - not a story about race.
In speaking on the black experience, yes, she was. Painfully white. Would "inexperienced" have been less offensive? It just meant more research on the topic might have been helpful before immersing her main character in that world. I finished the book feeling like the author has not been around many people of color--the black characters felt more like caricatures--although entertaining.
And sure it was about "battered women", but to say this story is not about race is missing half the story. Race plays a part in the growth of the characters and the story itself. It would have been a very different story if she had stayed with three white women.
I meant nothing personal. I just meant that it was sometimes irritatingly obvious that the author was not a person of color--esp. when speaking on the black experience.
Use of the word "inexperienced" probably would have been less offensive.
Thanks for explaining.
I recall an anthology of ss`s by a Pulitzer prize winner, black, who wrote tales from the city, NYC perhaps? Simple common surname, waspish, Jones or Smith. I am trying to relocate the work as it has stuck with me. Any leads? Title names? I thought he was major.
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Deborah Wells
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Jun 26, 2012 04:15PM
"this author was almost painfully white"? I thought the Secret Life of Bees was more about battered women and children - not a story about race.
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In speaking on the black experience, yes, she was. Painfully white. Would "inexperienced" have been less offensive? It just meant more research on the topic might have been helpful before immersing her main character in that world. I finished the book feeling like the author has not been around many people of color--the black characters felt more like caricatures--although entertaining.And sure it was about "battered women", but to say this story is not about race is missing half the story. Race plays a part in the growth of the characters and the story itself. It would have been a very different story if she had stayed with three white women.
I meant nothing personal. I just meant that it was sometimes irritatingly obvious that the author was not a person of color--esp. when speaking on the black experience.
Use of the word "inexperienced" probably would have been less offensive.Thanks for explaining.
I recall an anthology of ss`s by a Pulitzer prize winner, black, who wrote tales from the city, NYC perhaps? Simple common surname, waspish, Jones or Smith. I am trying to relocate the work as it has stuck with me. Any leads? Title names? I thought he was major.
