tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post960198700113250896..comments2024-03-24T02:23:19.870-05:00Comments on Reading In Color: My Letter to BordersMissAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11042352415616854651noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-73519118375231247792010-11-08T20:50:41.387-06:002010-11-08T20:50:41.387-06:00Good call, Ari, about young adults not being drawn...Good call, Ari, about young adults not being drawn to reading about what is still considered 'the norm' in the book business. We all like to see ourselves in the pages on occasion. <br /><br />While I was writing my book, The Magic Pencil, I envisioned the cover pretty much the way it turned out. The main characters are unashamedly African American so it was never an issue.<br /><br />Because I belong to the Motown Writers Network of Detroit, MI, I had a leg up and was able to get my book stocked at the Barnes & Noble store where MWN has meetings and events. I hope to keep it there!<br /><br />Keep up the campaign. And remind the stores that just because a book is about and/or by a person of color, doesn't mean it needs to be put in a 'special section' other than Fiction if it's fiction.<br /><br />Oh, and I do know some youth who still say "off the chain". <br /><br />Thanks for agreeing to review my book. I believe you will enjoy it.Karen E. Dabneyhttp://www.dabsandcompany.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-66990233738113578072010-10-16T20:11:18.886-05:002010-10-16T20:11:18.886-05:00Fabulous letter. I would love to see a version of ...Fabulous letter. I would love to see a version of this published in Publishers Weekly. And, congratulations on a thoughtful and much-needed site.litsafarihttp://www.literarysafari.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-38316627130638150822010-08-27T20:35:10.407-05:002010-08-27T20:35:10.407-05:00That's an excellent letter, and one worth spre...That's an excellent letter, and one worth spreading! Borders, Amazon, and other big chains need to stop seeing profit in 'white only' covers and books, and embrace the vast diversity that is the US.<br /><br />No teen or 'tween' should have to search for a book that relates to them, and *no* child should ever feel they're just not 'good enough' to be the main character in a book. I hope Borders steps up!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-44885144414455621132010-08-08T22:05:11.270-05:002010-08-08T22:05:11.270-05:00Eloquent and truthful! Kudos!Eloquent and truthful! Kudos!Janellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14894388430526839795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-35825203445428089952010-08-06T23:39:39.743-05:002010-08-06T23:39:39.743-05:00I loved your letter---it was flawless, and nobody ...I loved your letter---it was flawless, and nobody could have written a better one. I'd love to hear that Borders replied. I myself am Hispanic and all the covers show enticing, dramatic Caucasians and there are never Hispanics on the cover.Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01819112527039364195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-21864246201407184862010-08-03T19:06:50.123-05:002010-08-03T19:06:50.123-05:00Wow! I love when teens realize they have a voice a...Wow! I love when teens realize they have a voice and the ability to bring about change. As a writer of diverse novels and a poc author I am touched by your letter. I felt the same way as a teenager. So much so, that when I went to a diverse college I would rush to purchase books published by poc authors who sold their wares at my school. I also recommend emailing the managers at your local stores as well as the corporate headquarters.LM Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624508396760965680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-48992639374696686842010-08-03T12:08:23.036-05:002010-08-03T12:08:23.036-05:00Gosh I don't think I could have written such a...Gosh I don't think I could have written such a fab letter. I love all the statistics and examples. You are amazing!!Jeanninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16091328966209234319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-56671935313106030222010-08-02T16:25:20.751-05:002010-08-02T16:25:20.751-05:00Must say, I'm pretty hopin' mad about this...Must say, I'm pretty hopin' mad about this. It's one of those things that you just don't realize is happening unless someone points it out to you and it's wrong. The best part of a good novel (especially YA!) is that feeling that you belong in the author's world--that you could be the main character. When crap like changing cover art and just flat out not carrying the books that appeal to a large demographic happens, it's disturbing.<br /><br />Beth is mad! official spreading the word of this booky injustice.Twi-sessedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06255218695084563832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-21180013819992436402010-08-02T14:57:23.988-05:002010-08-02T14:57:23.988-05:00This is terrific. My (potential) readers are havin...This is terrific. My (potential) readers are having SUCH a hard time finding SEA. It just breaks my heart. Fortunately, Borders Glendale has a large selection and are working on getting it in all the west coast stores. I admire your passion! Keep up the good fight!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-23325178775994864312010-08-02T11:44:25.641-05:002010-08-02T11:44:25.641-05:00I am speechless right now. This is so true, and I ...I am speechless right now. This is so true, and I teared up while reading. Thank you. You rock. :DBrenda Agarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10472398836675464315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-71131534285073341122010-08-02T04:18:13.847-05:002010-08-02T04:18:13.847-05:00Okay, so, this letter? AMAZING. *applauds*Okay, so, this letter? AMAZING. *applauds*Heather R. Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-31221070606228246952010-08-01T18:13:41.265-05:002010-08-01T18:13:41.265-05:00Beautiful letter!
Hopefully, I'll be linking y...Beautiful letter!<br />Hopefully, I'll be linking you to my own soon :)Jhenne Tyler B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05019261969154480797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-56096837509813782812010-08-01T18:11:19.726-05:002010-08-01T18:11:19.726-05:00I saw this link via Twitter, and I just wanted to ...I saw this link via Twitter, and I just wanted to say that this was beautifully written. Also, I'm so glad that there is a blog dedicated to this issue.<br /><br />I just graduated college with a major in upper elementary/middle level education, and I'm currently working with the Boys and Girls club (BGC). Many of the kids that I work with hate reading because she don't feel like they can identify with the characters, but this will be a great tool to help out these kids now and in the present. Also, it will give me some good reading material :).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-27531535229704114732010-08-01T14:31:42.860-05:002010-08-01T14:31:42.860-05:00I am sitting here with my mouth hanging open in AW...I am sitting here with my mouth hanging open in AWE. Seriously. Ari, your passion and eloquence is a shining beacon for all to follow. I sincerely hope that more bloggers follow your example and write letters of their own to Borders in the US.<br /><br />Congratulations on an outstanding piece of writing.<br /><br />Hugs,<br />KazKaren Mahoneyhttp://www.kazmahoney.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-61028723842391759482010-08-01T09:25:40.801-05:002010-08-01T09:25:40.801-05:00There are also certain experiences in life that no...There are also certain experiences in life that not everyone will have to go through (racism and prejudice being the most obvious, although at some point, most people will experience prejudice of some kind). However what message are you sending by only selling stories about white teens? Borders may not realize this, but the reason many children of color do not read is because they feel that the books being written by white people, about white people, are not for them. They do not believe they can relate. Or worse yet, they begin to accept the subtle message sent by rows upon rows of books with white faces on the cover...<br /><br />The hidden, subliminal message created in the omission of stories of people of color. I'm so glad you see beyond them, Ari!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-70584614954199025632010-08-01T09:16:31.040-05:002010-08-01T09:16:31.040-05:00How wonderful that in addition your interesting an...How wonderful that in addition your interesting and informative blog, you have taken the initiative to write such a honest letter. It's action like this that can make a difference for our future generations. big ups 2 u! ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05638754322551651119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-91047499655955768692010-08-01T08:35:22.311-05:002010-08-01T08:35:22.311-05:00Great letter! Good to have those links and back up...Great letter! Good to have those links and back up data to support your claims. Let us know if you get a response.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-29146501669881928352010-08-01T07:46:30.011-05:002010-08-01T07:46:30.011-05:00Awesome job! I do hope they listen and pay attenti...Awesome job! I do hope they listen and pay attention. Bloggers are starting to have a greater influence on the publishing/selling world (I think). This is one of the reasons I go to my indie bookstore. I hope you let us know if and how they respondHelen's Book Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01404788769349792460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255886452367019317.post-83315092314687002882010-08-01T07:33:09.419-05:002010-08-01T07:33:09.419-05:00Wonderful letter. I don't think anyone could ...Wonderful letter. I don't think anyone could have written a better letter. Just knowing that you are in this world, makes me have hope for American Teenagers in general. God, you're great, you're wonderful. Better than a lot of adults out there. (is your head getting bigger yet? LOL) I'm serious though, I respect you more than a lot of people.<br /><br />AND...what address are you mailing this to?Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063358136590143066noreply@blogger.com