In the book Self-Care for Black Women by Oludara Adeeyo, (Yep, I'm going there again), the author gives us "tools" to help us mind, body, and soul. One of the activities includes "read something for fun."
I went to a place that brings me comfort ( a bookstore) and started looking for certain books by people of color and didn't see them on the shelves. The books I wanted were self-published books by the authors and I would have to order them. The more I looked around, I saw books by people who looked like me but were already famous and guaranteed to bring in the $$$$. Where are the bookstores that intentionally display books from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community? There were books displayed by authors who some may consider unknown, but they didn't look like me.
Unless we make some noise and start using our $$$ to purchase books and support places that recognize our contribution to the literary world, we may not have options to read books that reflect our culture, heritage, or beliefs. Another one of the self-care activities includes supporting black-owned businesses. I'm not saying to boycott other businesses; I'm suggesting being intentional about where you spend your $$$.
The bookstores will only sell what the consumer will purchase. Publisher's Weekly released an article in 2016 entitled, "Why Publishing is So White." In this article, a closer look was taken at the publishing world. The demographics are reflected below. I encourage you to read the article in its entirety at: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69653-why-publishing-is-so-white.html
So many books being challenged and/or banned are because they are written and/or about people in the BIPOC. We NEED our space! We NEED representation! Hopefully, you all see this blog as a platform to have the space to promote and discuss books that reflect us! I encourage people to use this platform as a way to discover themselves in literature!
The article was interesting, although not surprising. You asked the question "where is our space?" BIPOC communities are tasked with creating their own spaces, because others do not care to make room for us. But, when we create our own rooms they have a problem with that too! See my point! Our space is anywhere we are, whether you want us to be here or not, WE ARE! I will always need to see, experience, and be exposed to things that represent me. Certain populations may want to ban our books, stories, and experiences but it will not happen. I say let's continue to create more spaces for us like "Soul Literature." You my friend have already started a solution…
Insightful article.Yes I agree…. we need more BIPOC representation in literature.I’m looking forward to seeing this blogger publish her first book. She definitely has a voice and a story that needs to be heard.Look forward to seeing you publish. Do you have a timeframe we can expect to see your published work Mrs. Gardner?