![]() ![]() The stories I'm telling are enhanced by a diverse cast of characters. ![]() ![]() I want my students and children to have characters they can relate to. I live in a neighorhood that is probably about 60% black 30% white and 10% other groups. Historically I've worked with many more boys than girls. I work in an urban school district and most of my students are black males. They talk a lot about their varying perspectives on race. My four boys are biracial and categorized by other people in many ways. I specifically include characters of all backgrounds and also write from a male POV because that reflects my life and experience. The editor's honest response is the kind of measured conversations that we need to have as a society. ![]() I doubt that the reviewer thought beyond his/her immediate reaction to the character in question. Sometimes people try so hard and in the process do the very thing they are trying to avoid. There are so many factors that influence people's attitudes and decision-making that are subconscious. There are so many times my husband and I talk about the nuances of race and racism. I'm sure she feels personally insulted because of how carefully she edited the book to ensure accuracy and because of her unique position in publishing. The editor addressed it beautifully in the blog. ![]()
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