This afternoon I will be on a diversity panel at the NYPL. I thought I’d post some of my slides for those of you who are unable to attend. A full report will be posted tomorrow…
The US Children’s Publishing Industry:
Is the door open or closed?
My thoroughly unscientific, simplified representation of diversity in publishing in 2013 (based on observation and anecdotal evidence):
I believe there’s a direct link between limited diversity in the publishing profession and the lack of diversity in books for young readers. Although it is important for white authors to learn how to accurately represent people of color in their work, that alone will NOT change the status quo. I’m wary of groups whose goal is to “celebrate diversity” without also promoting equity.
What IS the difference between diversity and equity? Diversity focuses on difference but equity focuses on fairness. These definitions come from the UC Berkeley website:
Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be valued. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender — the groups that most often come to mind when the term “diversity” is used — but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values.
Equity is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all…while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups.
The first step in creating greater diversity and equity in the publishing industry involves developing a vision of progress. Here’s what I hope the industry will look like in 2020:
What would YOUR ideal children’s literature community look like?
The UK Publishing Equalities Charter offers specific actions groups can take to promote equality and diversity. Learn more at equalityinpublishing.org
Hi Zetta: Thank you for a thought provoking and informative talk today. I really enjoyed hearing your presentation as well as your comments. I wondered what you thoughts are of publishers such as Barefoot Books. Are you leary of such imprints that perhaps fit a marketing niche or celebrate the brand which supports multi cultural education?
Thank you.
All the best,
Helen
Hi, Helen. Thanks for coming to the panel yesterday! It was wonderful to know that nearly 100 people were interested in discussing issues of equity and diversity. I wasn’t familiar with Barefoot so I asked some of my SWWS colleagues for their impressions, which I’ll email to you now.
Thanks for doing the research that you do Zetta! The industry needs to be called on their BS and we as illustrators and writers of color have to “do” more than talk, feel upset, and/or frustrated about it. Keep pushing us sis. You’re voice of resistance makes me hear my own.
Thanks, Robert–the struggle continues…
[…] As someone who loves books as much as anything in life, one of the first things that happens when I see a list of new books is skim to see what new treasures are available. Looking at the list of finalists for the 25th Anniversary Lambda Literary Awards for LGBT writers anyone could recognize that it serves as a potential reading list for all those wondering where to find new queer stories. As some winners pointed out in the awards ceremony on Monday evening and in emails to me on the subject, the list is open to critique, particularly around questions of who it leaves out. But it’s a double-bind, because not only can the awards feel exclusive at times, but the publishing industries that bring potential content to the awards are well-known for lacking diversity (there’s been particular attention of late to this issue within children’s and young adult publishing). […]